The use of pesticides against the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) as a tool to control the pest has become an obstacle to the fresh agricultural products export to many countries that restrict pesticides residues. The effectiveness of three local strains of entomopathogenic fungi: Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, and Paecilomyces lilacinus against the adult and immature stages of C. capitata was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Obtained results showed that M. anisopliae and B. bassiana were superior in its pathogenicity and potential to kill the pest than P. lilacinus. These results may be important to be used for the control of the pest in IPM program.

No abstract

When the attachment of cellulolytic rumen fungi to cellulose is blocked by the addition of methylcellulose, cellulose digestion is entirely inhibited. Even after these fungi have colonized and penetrated the cellulosic fibers of filter paper, the addition of methylcellulose effectively halts cellulose digestion. This effect of methylcellulose is accompanied by the complete inhibition of fungal attachment to cellulose fibers; the addition of methylcellulose does not affect the growth of these organisms on soluble substrates. We conclude that fungal cellulose digestion, like bacterial cellulose digestion, requires the spatial juxtaposition of the cellulolytic organism and its insoluble substrate. The simultaneous inhibition of both attachment and digestion by the same inhibitor suggests that these two processes are functionally linked in the fungi.

No abstract

The mite, Cheletogenes ornatus (C.&F.) was reared on three different types of food, eggs and immatures of Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), and crawlers of date-scale-insect, Parlatoria blanchardii (Targ.) at laboratory conditions (15± 2°C and 50±5% R.H.). This study showed that female predator had two nymphal stages; while the male had only one. The predatory mite was noted under date-scale insects at date-palm-trees with a high numbers. The population of predator increased following the increase of the tenuipalpid mite, R.indica during in October to February. The results showed that high capacity of predator population growth revealed the high ability of the predator to suppress R.indica and P. blanchardii populations on date palm. Predation potential was greatest for larvae, followed by protonymphs, then deutonymphs. Predator consumed an average of 106.8 &158.2 preys for male and female during its life span, respectively. Cannibalism was noticed when food was absent. The mean generation time (T) of the predatory mite, C. ornatus was significantly affected by the type of food. The longest time needed for one generation (21.23) times was recorded when mite fed on crawlers of date-scale-insect, whereas the shorter period was (18.65) days when fed on eggs of R. indica. The population of predator had capacity to double (DT) every (3.38, 3.48 and4.01 times) within a single generation when fed on the three different types of food, respectively. Eggs of R. indica was the most preferable food compared with those tested as it recorded the highest value of (rm) 0.205 .It was clear that Finite rate of predator increase (λ) had capacity to multiply about (1.227; 1.219; 1.189) times/female/day and Gross reproductive rate (GRR) was (59.16; 55.99 and 49.22) times/female/day when reared on the three different foods, respectively.

Twenty six mite species in 22 genera and 17 families were collected from date palm trees in two Egyptian Governorates during 2012 and 2013. Population dynamics of mites associated with date palm leaves were reported. Biological aspects of Raoiella indica on leaves of Phoenix dactylifera L. were studied under laboratory conditions of 15, 20 and 25±2°C and 60 ± 5% RH. Feeding at 15± 2°C significantly prolonged predator longevity (42.38 & 37.26 days), for females& males, respectively and caused a higher rate of fertility averaged 96 egg through an average oviposition period of 28 day. Life table parameters showed that the highest intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) was reached as 0.149 at 20°C, respectively. This range of temperature was considered as the optimal range for this mite. Lower rm value as 0.115 was obtained at 15°C. Time for population doubling was determined as 6.05, 4.65 and 4.83 at studied temperatures, respectively.

No abstract

Six eriophyoid mites, including four new species and two new records, from Egypt are described and illustrated. They are Stenacis aegyptius sp. nov., on Cupressus sempervirens L. (Cupressaceae); Aceria donacis Mohanasundaram, 1983, rec. n. on Arundo donax L. (Poaceae); Aceria bambusae Channabasavanna, 1966, rec. n. on Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J.C. Wendl; Schizacea aegyptimperata sp. nov. on Imperata cylindrical (L.) (Poaceae); Epitrimerus abousettai sp. nov. on Cupressus sempervirens L. (Cupressaceae) and Abacarus donacis sp. nov. on Arundo donax L. (Poaceae). The genus Schizacea is recorded for the first time in Egyptian fauna. These species are vagrants on leaves without any damage except the forth species (S. aegyptimperata) which causes rust on inner surface of leaves of the host plant. A key to the species of Schizacea of the world is provided.