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Field experiments were conducted at wheat program of El-Mattana Agricultural Research Station, Luxor Governorate, Egypt during two successive growing seasons (2017/2018 and 2018/2019) to study the performance of some wheat cultivars and lines to infestation by Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and their spatial distribution pattern. Results indicated that the total population density of S. graminum during the first growing season (2017/2018) was higher than second growing season (2018/2019). Also, the total mean of S. graminum population through the whole season was 20.83 ± 0.54 and 13.57 ± 0.34 individuals per 10 tillers over the first and second growing seasons, respectively. The obtained results indicated that Giza 171 and Giza 12 cultivars and lines of wheat (6, 11 and 13) were the highly susceptible varieties (HS) during the two seasons. On the other hand, Shandwel 1 and Sides 14 cultivars and lines 4 and 12 were rated as resistance to infestation (R) during the two seasons, these cultivars and lines of wheat plants should be promoted in the areas of high aphid infestation. It was also, noticed that the mean maximum population density of S. graminum was observed on Giza 171 cultivar, while, the minimum individuals of population were recorded on line 4 of wheat plants through the two growing seasons. Data were analysed using 21 distribution indices. All distribution indices indicated a significant aggregation behaviour during each growing season in all the tested wheat cultivars and lines. These pieces of information can be useful for planning an IPM program of aphid on wheat plants.

Field studies were done on faba bean plants at the El-Mattana Agricultural Research Station in Luxor Governorate, Egypt, throughout two successive growing seasons (2019/20 and 2020/21) to investigate the seasonal activity of the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora (Koch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) (Giza 843 cultivar). As well, estimate the effects of some climatic conditions and plant ages on the seasonal abundance of A. craccivora. In this study, two insect expressions were used, i.e., insect numbers and incidence of infestation, which articulated the population of this pest. Results indicated that A. craccivora infested faba bean plants from 21 st November 2019 to 12 th March 2020 during the first growing season and from 22 nd November 2020 to 13 th March 2021 through the second one. For the two growing seasons, the cumulative counts of A. craccivora were 321.48 and 340.66 individuals each season, respectively. Furthermore, the overall mean of A. craccivora population was 18.91 ± 0.92 and 20.04 ± 1.52 individuals per 10 plants, during the first and second growing seasons, respectively. As well, the general average of the percentages of abundance was 66.73 ± 1.60 and 58.43 ± 2.28 for the two seasons, respectively. Climatic conditions of weekly inspection dates were more favourable for A. craccivora to increase its population in November, January and February for the two seasons. Additionally, in two consecutive growing seasons, the number of A. craccivora disappeared during the faba bean maturation stage in end March. According to the findings, the combined impacts of environmental conditions and plant ages can explain changes in A. craccivora population density. The results revealed that the effects of weather conditions and plant ages on population density and infestation incidence percentages by A. craccivora were highly significant during the two seasons studied, and that these parameters varied from season to season. Also, the dew point and mean daily minimum temperature were the most effective variable for the changes in the insect population and the percentages of infestation incidences under the studied seasons. These information can aid in the development of an aphid IPM program for faba bean plants.

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The fall armyworm [FAW; Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)], is considered a serious invasive pest that poses a serious threat to world food security. It can completely devastate a whole country's cereal crops. Therefore, the present work is the 1st field trial in Egypt to elucidate some ecological aspects of S. frugiperda on maize plants (Single-Hybrid 168 Yellow Corn cultivar) at Esna district, Luxor Governorate, Egypt, throughout two sequential growing seasons of maize (2021-2022). Three insect parameters were used, i.e., egg masses, number of larvae, and percentage of damaged corn plants. Effects of certain climatic conditions and corn plant ages on S. frugiperda seasonal activity and damaged plants percentage were also estimated. S. frugiperda population initiated to attack maize plants from the 3rd week of June until the harvest in every season. S. frugiperda had two seasonal activity peaks in terms of egg masses numbers and three peaks regarding the larval population density/season. Its damage percentage increased with increasing plant age weekly. The mean of S. frugiperda egg masses were 2.83 ± 0.40 and 2.96 ± 0.45 mass /10 corn plants in 2021 and 2022, respectively. While, the overall mean larval populations were 13.41 ± 0.52 and 13.03 ± 0.46 larvae/10 plants, during the two growing seasons, respectively. Corn plant damage percentages reached 68.54 ± 2.71 and 60.42 ± 2.92% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The combined effects of both the weather conditions and maize plant ages were highly significant on egg masses, larvae population density, and damage percentage, and varied from one season to another. The mean daily maximum temperature was the most effective variable on egg masses and the larval population. Maize plant age had a clear effect on the damage percentage caused by the larvae in the field during the two years of the study. The dramatic spread of FAW and the consequent damage (that appeared in different countries of America, Africa, and Asia) mean that different management approaches must be sought for the small and large-scale producers by using available technologies for smallholder farmers will eliminate pest damage without access to reach to an economic Injury level. This information may assist the decision maker when planning the S. frugiperda IPM program for maize plants and its surveillance.

Understanding insect behavior is a prerequisite for establishing pest scouting tools for determining possible damage and implementing control measures for the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on okra plants. Field trials were conducted to estimate the distribution modalities of P. solenopsis on plants in different cardinal directions, plant strata, leaf surfaces, and field depth (spaces from field boundaries), in a private okra field (Balady cultivar) at Esna district, Luxor Governorate during two consecutive seasons (2021 and 2022). Results revealed that P. solenopsis attacked okra plants, were observed from the first week of March through the end of July during each season, and occurred on all okra field directions in all plant levels and on leaf surfaces, on all the dates of weekly inspections. During the two seasons, there were highly significant differences in population, as well as infestation percentages in various cardinal directions, and very significant changes between the various stratums of plant and on leaf surfaces, as well as between the various distances from field boarders. P. solenopsis favors the lower leaf surface of the top stratum of the plant, in the south and east aspects, where its population was constantly abundant throughout the season, and pests more highly attacked okra plants distant from the farm borders than close plants over each season. The current information can be used to help design mealybug monitoring and control programs on okra plants.