Performance of Certain Predators in Controling Aphis craccivora koch and Myzus persicae (Sluzer). on Broad Bean Plants

Abstract

The current investigation was performed to assess the effectiveness of predators as biocontrol agent against Aphis craccivora and Myzus persicae on broad bean field. Aphis craccivora had three peaks of abundance during the fourth week of December, first week of February and March of 2020-202 season (632, 901 and 671 individuals / 25 leaves). While it had two peaks during the second week of January and February of 2021/2022 (914 and 1085individuals/25 leaves). Meanwhile, M. persicae had two peaks of abundance (498 and 542 individuals/25 leaves) in 2020-21 and three peaks (689, 608 and 434 individuals/25 leaves) in 2021-22. The common predators caught in the broad bean fields were: Coccinella undecimpunctata L., Chrysoperla carnea Steph., Cydonia vicina isis (Muls.), Scymnus sp., Metasyrphus corollae F. and Orius sp. These predators recorded two peaks (50 and 52 predators/ 25 leaves) during the first season, and three peaks during the second season (40, 44 and 39 predators / 25 leaves) on broad bean. Biology of C. carnea on Aphis craccivora and Myzus persicae were examined at 26 ± 1°C and 70 ± 5% R.H. The total developmental time of C. carnea (egg hatching to adult exclusion) was 18.59 ± 0.43 and 23.54 ± 0.55 days when fed on A. craccivora and M. persicae, respectively. The mean number of eggs per C. carnea female was 345.83 ± 5.11 and 489.0 ± 6.58 eggs females fed on A. craccivora and M. persicae during their larval stage, respectively.