Abstract Background The olive leaf moth (OLM), Palpita unionalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), poses a significant threat to olive cultivation. This study focused on isolating protease-producing bacteria from moribund field strains of P. unionalis larvae and assessing their larvicidal efficacy against laboratory strains through estimated LC30, LC50, and LC90 values. Additionally, the long-lasting impacts of LC50 values on pupal and adult stages were evaluated. Results Three entomopathogenic bacteria, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Pseudomonas putida, and Bacillus subtilis, were isolated. The larvicidal efficacies of these isolates varied, as B. subtilis exhibiting greater efficacy at LC30 and LC50 values, while P. putida showed the most potent effect at the LC90 value. Conversely, B. amyloliquefaciens demonstrated the lowest larvicidal potentialities at LC50 and LC90 values, with P. putida being the least effective at the LC30 value. The toxicity regression lines indicated increased larval lethality with each unit increase in concentration, as evidenced by the positive slope values. Chi-square (χ2) values suggested a better fit and supported the reliability of the estimated lethal concentrations. Exposure to LC50 values s resulted in significant elongation of larval duration and reduction in weight, whereas pupal lifespan, adult emergence, and sex ratio showed non-significant differences compared to untreated controls. Conclusions The study highlights the promising role of these biological candidates in pest control programs as eco-friendly alternatives, potentially enhancing safe plant production. The varied larvicidal efficacies of the bacterial isolates, along with their proteolytic capabilities, underscore their potential as biocontrol pathogens against OLM, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.

Chaff (the outermost protective layer of rice grain) in nano and ground sized particles was bio-assessed to explore its insecticidal effects against the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). These particles induced remarkable disturbances in the biological patterns of the greater wax moth. These were cleared as they exhibited insecticidal impact on both juvenile and adult stages, their impacts on larval, pupal and adult death, the formation of morphogenetic features (permanent larvae and larval-pupal intermediates), their negative influence on the adult emergence and the potentialities of the applied concentrations to hinder the larval weight gain. The recorded LC50 values proved more larvicidal potency of the nano-sized particle than that of the ground rice chaff one. The transverse sections in the midgut of the 20 days old larvae (both treated and untreated ones) confirmed the histopathological deformations of the examined particles. The high siliceous content of the chaff particle may be responsible for such recorded disturbances.

Fig tree borer, Trichoferus griseus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is one of the very dangerous pests of fig trees at the Egyptian Northwestern coast. The prevailing environmental conditions at this coastal area (low precipitation, rainfed agriculture, soil salinity and hot summer season) support the population buildup of this pest to induce inestimable infestation. The current study aims to quantify the severity of the infestation of fig tree borer under the different soil moisture contents (moist and non-moist sites) and to estimate the influence of fig trees watering practice on the survival of Trichoferus larvae. Significant variation has been detected by comparing the mean infestation incidence between both sites on the monthly and annual levels. Under the annual watering practice, barely fluctuation in the counted numbers of exit holes was recorded through the study period, which, in turn, reflected on the corrected infestation percentages that recorded a noticeable reduction (2.04%) in 2018 year compared with the previous years. Rising moisture content in the internal fig tissues may hinder the colonization capability of Trichoferus larvae. The continuity of annual watering practice could affect Trichoferus infestation, especially when engaged in the integrated program dedicated to combating this pest..

Longicorn beetle, Trichoferus griseus (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) is one of the most damaging fig tree pests at the Egyptian Northwestern Coast (ENC). The current paper discusses the first experience in mass-trapping of T. griseus adults by McPhail traps made with re-used PET water bottles. Traps were lured by unmarketable fig fruits immersed in a small amount of water with a bit of any insecticide. This kind of trap is considered competitive for low cost, easily handled and the re-use of PET bottles lowers the wasted plastic that may have good environmental impacts. Also the use of non-tradable fig-fruits as lure advantages the management of wastes. This study confirms the knowledge on T. griseus bionomics in ENC. Sixty traps were installed at a rate of 15 traps/site and 1 trap/tree. The traps were succeeded to catch 714 adults throughout the whole study period. The mean catches/trap recorded its highest value at Barrani site and the lowest at Marsa Matrouh. Throughout the whole study period, July month showed the highest capture. Seasonal fluctuation of T. griseus adults showed the peaked range from June till October. Although the present findings suggest the efficacy of the traps in mass-trapping of adult borer, we consider the need of further studies and insights to improve trap performance. All the studies will concur to demonstrate the mass-trapping effectiveness in the proposed fig IPM strategy. Finally, local growers, after short training period, enjoyed and disseminated among them how to manage the traps independently.

The reproductive performance of the ecto-larval parasitoid Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as well as its host; the olive leaf moth Palpita unionalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was studied in the laboratory at 27 ± 2 o C. The P. unionalis is an important pest on olives, and also feeds on other host plants from the family Oleaceae.The estimated life table parameter was the net reproductive rate (R o ), the mean generation time (T), the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r m ) and the finite rate of increase (λ).This parameter was represented by 68.28, 20.01, 0.15, 1.17 for B. hebetor and 68.54, 32.09, 0.13 and 1.14 for P. unionalis, respectively.Females of the parasitoid lived for 21.8 ±1.97 days.The average number of eggs oviposited by females was 365.6 ±44.94.Immature survival from egg to adult was 41%.Sex ratio of wasp progeny (females/total) was 0.46.P. unionalis females lived on average for 9.10 ±0.35 days and deposited 179.98 ± 22.64 eggs/female.Survival rate for immature was 68%.Sex ratio of progeny was 0.55.The results concluded of this study can be used to improve mass rearing programs and support in oculative release applications of B. hebetor against the olive leaf moth.

The status of tomato leaf-miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), at Matrouh Governorate, Egypt was investigated under the greenhouse conditions during 2010 season as the first documented data concerting the crossing of this pest into the Egyptian borders coming from Libya. In both El-Kasr region and Siwa Oasis, the periodical monitoring of T absoluta male moths on both tomato and eggplant were carried out using the sex pheromone lure baited traps. Also, the influence of male collection technique and one tracer spraying on declining the larval infestation were evaluated. Data declared that, tomato was the most preferable host for T absoluta than other solanaceous crops, the in-time hanging of sex pheromone baited traps inside the tomato or eggplant greenhouse besides tracer sprayirig when necessary were the factors that ensured the achievement of less larval infestation. In addition, the influence of neighbor solanaceous crops on the infestation outbreak was also considered. Also, the detection of T absoluta larvae on the wild solanaceous shrub, Solanum nigrum (Black nightshade) was documented for the first time within the valleys of Matrouh Governorate. Mass trapping and lure and kill application of pheromone have been found to be effective for controlling T absoluta.

is one of the abundantly distributed endemic shrubsin Matrouh's valleys. It acts as an alternative host for a vast range ofarthropod species that may cause great damage for the economic cultivations. Sothe present work was carried out to study the arthropod diversity harbored Mitnanshrub. The collected species were belonging to 8 orders

Fig orchards (beside olive ones) constitute the main agriculture component along the Egyptian north western coast. Fig tree borer; Trichoferus gracious (Fabricius, 1792) (Order: Coleoptera, Family: Cerambicidae) considers as one of the highest dangerous pests attacking fig tree. Through regarding arthropod diversity associated with infestation spots of T. gracious, obtained data showed that, recovered species were belonged to 9 orders. Among them, order Coleoptera was the highest represented, which repeated 18 times throughout the whole investigation period. Total numbers of detected species were 20 ones, from which coleopteran and hymenopteran species occupied the maximum share by 7 species for each order. Recovered individuals were represented by 154 ones. Among them coleopteran individuals with 46 total detected ones came on the top of the list. Among such arthropods, beneficial species was of higher dominance and abundance than herbivorous ones. Although data revealed that, T. griseus was of low dominance and abundance percentages, it was the only primary herbivorous species that responsible for opening the way for the other herbivores ones to perform their damages.

Life tables of Bracon brevicornis Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were estimated on three hosts (the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L., the almond moth, Ephestia cautella Walker and the olive leaf moth Palpita unionalis Hubner). Obtained data declared that, all the examined hosts were suitable for the pre-imaginal development of B. brevicornis, but the parameters of intrinsic rate of increase (r(m)) and the net reproductive rate (R-0) marked E. cautella larvae as the most suitable host in terms of population increase.

Nano zinc oxide (ZnO) is a very useful and important material in many industrial and biological applications. In the present work, ZnO was synthesized by post thermal degradation of the precursor "zinc acetate di-hydrate" templated in crosslinked polyacrylic acid (PAA). The crosslinked PAA template was prepared through an in-situ polymerization process adopted in presence of ammonium per sulphate, as an initiator, and N, N'-methylene bis-acrylamide as the crosslinker. Variation of preparation parameters and their impact on the oxide stoichiometry, crystal structure, crystallite size and surface texture of the oxide were investigated. Energy dispersive X-ray technique (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were convincingly used to reveal the oxide structural features and characteristics. The performed bioassay tests indicated the efficacy of this method of preparation to produce nano ZnO with novel insecticidal activity against the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella.

During 2003 and 2004 cotton seasons, Trichogramma evanescens West. was released in an inundative manner to evaluate its efficacy in suppressing spiny bollworm, Earias insulana (Boisd.) infestation in El-Farafra, New Valley Governorate, Egypt, cotton fields. Five releases (17600 adult females in 2 wades / feddan / release) in two weeks intervals successfully suppressed cotton boll bollworm infestation to be one fourth to one third of that of the untreated cotton fields and produced an equilibrium status between the pest population and the released parasitoid. Releasing Trichogramma parasitoid successfully decreased the losses in cotton yield caused by the bollworm by about one fourth of its value in the untreated control treatment.