Factors affecting on infestation of apple trees with pinhole beetle, Hypothenemus eruditus (Scolytinae : Curculionidae : Coleoptera)‎ at Menoufia governorate, Egypt

Abstract EN

Hypothenemus eruditus Westwood (Scolytinae : Curculionidae : Coleoptera) is considered the most widespread and abundant scolytine in the world.

The aim of this is to study the effect of the factors, moisture content of apple branches, different heights from ground surface and dominant weather factors on infestation of apple trees with H.

eruditus.

The results indicated, these factors obviously detected the following: 1) The highest infestation was recorded for branches with 26.9% moisture content for cutting branches to 7days ago.

2) The highest number of entrance holes recorded for branches at height 150- 200cm.

3) Population fluctuation of H.

eruditus beetle during activity periods revealed that the beetles are abundant all year.

The number of attracted beetles to intact apple branches, estimated by number of entrance holes, appeared six and five peaks of population density during two successive years of study (2017 and 2018).

4) Seasonal activity of attracted beetles detected that the highest percentages of entrance holes were recorded during the summer followed by the spring or autumn then the winter.

The highest monthly percentage of entranced beetles recorded 15.63% during July (2017) and 14.67% during August (2018), while the lowest percentage showed at January of both two seasons.

Weather factors showed clear different effects on population fluctuation of beetles