Bassam Oudeh*⁽¹⁾ Wajeeh Kassis⁽²⁾ and Randa Abu-Tara⁽³⁾

(1). General commission for Agricultural Research (GCSAR). Scientific Agriculture Research Centre of Homs. Al-Mukhtaryeh Research Station, Homs, Syria
(2). Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
(3). Faculty of Science, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Bassam Oudeh: Scientific Agriculture Research Centre of Homs. Al-Mukhtaryeh Research Station, Homs, Syria. E-mail: B_oudeh@hotmail.com).

Received: 13/07/ 2014                                     Accepted: 27/11/ 2014

Abstract

The parasitoids and predators species associated with pear psylla Cacopsylla pyricolla (F.) were monitored in Mokhtaria Research Station, Homs, Syria, during seasons 2011 and 2012. The results showed presence of eleven predators and two parasitoids species. The predatory species belong to five orders: Heteroptera[Anthocoris nemoralis (F.), Orius horvanthi (Reuter) (Anthocoridae)], Neuroptera [Chrysoperla carnea (S.) (Chrysopidae)], Coleoptera [Coccinella septempunctata (L.), Oenopia conglobata (L.), Coccinella undecimpunctata (L.), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coccinellidae) and Rhagonycha fulva (Scop.) (Cantharidae), R. fulva is a new record on C. pyricola in Syria], Diptera [Eupeodes corollae (F.), Dermaptera [Forficula auricularia (L.) (Forficulidae), while the parasitoids belong to family Encyrtidae order Hymenoptera [Trechnites psyllae (R.) and Psyllaephagus euphyllurae (M.)]. The predator A. nemoralis was the most abundant with C. pyricolaranged from 45 to 49% comparison with other predator species trapped by beating tray. As well the parasitoid species T. psyllae was the most abundant with the pest ranged from 46 to 87% compared with other parasitoids attracted to the sticky traps. Both A.nemoralis and T. psyllae were the most coexisted ones with the pest, while the other predators and parasitoid species occurred in certain periods during the growing season, and most of parasitoids and predatorsabove responded directly to increase of prey population dynamic. The correlation was positive, and simple correlation coefficient of total parasitoids and predatorsabove in season 2011 was insignificant and positive with eggs and nymphs of the pest 0.23 and highly significant and positive with adults 0.41, while in season 2012 it was insignificant and positive with eggs 0.16 and highly significant and positive with nymphs 0.38 and adults 0.88 at probability level 5%. Therefore, the results showed that there are many parasitoids and predators that we can use to decrease pest populations.

Key words: Pears psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola F., Predators, Parasitoids, Survey, Population studies.

Full paper in Arabic :  تغيرات مجتمع حشرة بسيلا الأجاص وحصر أعدائها الحيوية في محافظة حمص، سورية