Potential Impact of Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall) Parasitoid against Cowpea Aphid

Abstract

Field experiments were occurred during growing seasons of 2022 and 2023 at Kafr Saqr district, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt to assess the seasonal abundance of cowpea aphids and their parasitoid on cowpea plants and to determine the potential effects of the parasitoid Lysiphlebus fabrum on Aphis craccivora (Koch.) as a management control. Over the two seasons, A. craccivora populations averaged 487.65 and 531.76 individuals/20 leaves. Three parasitoid species were observed; L. fabrum and Trioxys sp. as a primary parasitoid, Aphidencyrtus sp . as a hyperparasitoid . Total parasitism rates(average) by L. fabarum, Trioxys sp., and Aphidencertus sp. were 4.56 and 6.63%, respectively, during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The highest percentage of emergence was observed at a rate of five parasitoids/cage, but the maximum parasitism % of L. fabrum was attained at a rate of 20 parasitoids/cage.. Therefore, L. fabrum is being promoted for the management of A. craccivora on cowpea plants