Biocontrol of the pomegranate whitefly, siphoninus phillyreae (hemiptera: aleyrodidae)‎ by augmentation, releasing and evaluation of eretmocerus parasiphonini (hymenoptera: aphelinidae)‎ in Egypt

Abstract EN

The pomegranate whitefly, Siphoninus phillyreae (Haliday) (Hemiptera : Aleyrodidae) is one of the most important pests infested pomegranate in Egypt.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the biological control potential of the parasitoid, Eretmocerus parasiphonini Evans and Abd-Rabou (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) against the pomegranate whitefly, Siphoninus phillyreae (Haliday) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) by mass rearing and augmentative releases of this parasitoid during 2011-2014 in Egypt.

This parasitoid species were mass reared and monthly releases were made in the fields of pomegranate during each of three consecutive years (2011-2014).

About 142578 E.

parasiphonini individuals were released in fields in Assuit, Daqahylia and Giza governorates in Egypt on pomegranate which were naturally infested by S.

phillyreae.

Populations of the parasitoid and parasitism were much higher in field plots where releases were made as compared with where no releases were made.

The maximum rate of parasitism reached 48.9, 42.1 and 46.7 % in Assuit, Daqahylia and Giza governorates, respectively in the field treatment where releases were made, while parasitism peaked at 2.6, 4.6 and 2.5% in Assuit, Daqahylia and Giza governorates, respectively where no releases were made.

These observations indicated that E.

parasiphonini is a promising bioagent in controlling S.

phillyreae in Egypt.