A new strategy for controlling three devastating pests attacking date palm plantations in El Bahariya and Siwa Oases, Egypt,

Abstract

Egypt is considered the world leader in date production; yet, Batrachedra amydraula , Arenipses sabella and Virachola livia are threatening this distinguished position. The current study aimed to set a new strategy depending on controlling of those pests using a group of parasitoids and predators. Once the pests appeared in El Bahariya and Siwa Oases’ palm plantations, Trichogramma sp., Bracon sp., Goniozus sp., Chrysoperla sp. Coccinella sp . and Orius sp. were released. Results related to infestation%, before and after release, pests’ emergence and intensification were compared in both Oases. By the end of the season, A. sabella and V. livia infestation percentage in El Bahariya control farm increased till 82.5 and 70.6%, respectively, while B. amydraula showed less infestation, i.e. 39%. Infestation declined significantly when natural enemies were released and by the end of the season it reached 2.5, 1.1 and 1.1%, for A. sabella, B. amydruala and V. livia , respectively. In Siwa, infestation in control recorded 40.2, 52.4 and 58.7 %, while in treatments, it dropped to 1.1, 2 and 2.2%, by the end of the season, for the three pests, respectively. A. sabella infestation was higher in El Bahariya than Siwa, on the contrary with B. amydraula , while V. livia was higher in Siwa than El Bahariya till Aug., and the opposite case occurred in Sep. Results proved that using this combination of natural enemiesa proved effective control method against the three pests under investigation and it is recommended to use this strategy to be integrated in IPM programs in palm plantations in Egypt.