Monitoring the carpenter worm Paropta paradoxa (Lepidoptera : Cossidae)‎ infesting apple orchards in Egypt

Abstract EN

In apple orchards, the carpenter worm Paropta paradoxa (Herrich-Schäffer) (Lepidoptera:Cossidae) became recently a serious pest in Egypt.

Monitoring the population fluctuation was conducted at Nobaria district, Beheira Governorate during the two successive years (2017 and 2018).

The rate of infestation approximated 14% (11.5 – 16.5% infested trees), while the degree of infestation reached 1.235 (1.47 – 2.47) moths per tree.

The seasonal abundance of the adult moths prevailed from early or late March to early or late November, with mostly two or three flight peaks.

The major moths ' flight period was in summer months (July-September) (1.10 moths in 2017 to 1.46 moths / tree in 2018), while spring months (April-June) recorded moderate numbers, being 0.79 to 1.01 moths /tree.

Autumn was the minor (0.12 to 0.16 moths/tree), however winter was scant (0.02 – 0.04 moths / tree).

The total numbers per year were 2.05 and 2.33 moths / tree during 2017 and 2018, respectively.

There was two brood of moths’ activity in 2017, but three broods in 2018.

There were 8.5 months of moths' activity each year.

Effect of weather factors on the moths’ activity was mostly positive and significant with daily maximum, daily minimum and daily mean temperatures but mostly negative and insignificant with daily mean relative humidity.

Infestation was much doubled during only one year, thus needed urgent integrated control.