Egypt. J. Plant Prot. Res. Inst. (2020), 3 (2): 571 - 579 Egyptian Journal of Plant Protection Research Institute www.ejppri.eg.net Dipteran and coleopteran natural enemies associated with cantaloupe crop in Qalyubiya Governorate, Egypt El-Torkey, A.M. 1; Younes, M. W. F.², Mohi-Eldin, A. I. 1 and Abd Allah, Y.N.M. 1 1Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. ²Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Menofia University, Egypt. ARTICLE INFO Abstract: Article History Studying diversity of natural enemies associated with their pests Received: 21/ 4 /2020 in agro ecosystems is urgent for the integrated pest management. Two Accepted: 17 / 5 /2020 sampling techniques (i.e. water traps (pit-fall traps) and direct count of _______________ insects in the field) were used to survey pests, natural enemies and Keywords pollinators on six cantaloupe cultivars in Qaha region of Qalyubiya Cantaloupe, Governorate, Egypt over 2006 and 2007 summer plantation seasons. natural enemies, Thirty-two species belonging to two insects in Diptera and Coleoptera Diptera, orders presented by 18 superfamilies and 23 families and 22 genera. Coleoptera, They were recorded on Ideal, E81-065, Mirella, Vicar, E81-013 and Qalyubiya Magenta cantaloupe cultivars. Diptera was represented by eighteen Governorate and species belonging to 13 families (Sepsidae, Phoridae, Scenophilidae, Egypt. Dolichpodidae, Otitidae, Agromyzidae, Ephydridae, Drosophilidae, Tachinidae, Anthomyiidae, Muscidae, Syrohidae and Cecidomyiidae). Field observations indicated that Liriomyza trifolii (Burg), Agromyzidae infested cantaloupe leaves in moderate populations, while Melanogromyza cuntans (Meign) infested leaves in low populations. The present study revealed that the parasite Tachina larvarum L. (Tachinidae) and the predator Syrphus corolla F. (Syrphidae) were found in low levels. Pheanobremia aphidivora (Rubsaamen) (Cecidomyiidae) was observed in moderate populations on leaves. However, other dipteran species were recorded in cantaloupe leaves at low levels. Most coleopteran insects in the present survey were pests, however, others were predators such as Coccinella undecimpunctata, Coccinella septempunctata and Cydonia vicina (Coccinellidae), Paederus aliferii Koch. (Staphylinidae) and Clasoma chlorostictum Deg. (Carabidae). Introduction Successful Integrated Pest Management cultivation and control techniques under requires a thorough knowledge of the pest differing circumstances (Gullan and insect’s biology, their natural enemies and Cranston, 2017). So, it is necessary to know the crop to allow rational use of a cultivar of and conserve the diversity of agents of 571 El-Torkey et al., 2020 biological control (predators and parasitoids) in considerable distance during only 2006 present in the agro ecosystems (Crowder and season. Jabbour, 2014). b. Direct field observation followed by Vinutha et al. (2017) indicated the laboratory examination which were carried presence of several predators from the orders out during two investigated seasons. Coleoptera, Mantodea, Hemiptera, and Pit-fall traps, 10 cm diameter and 14 Odonata. This information can be used to cm depth (filled with water and detergent) improve the integrated pest management in were installed at 14 cm below soil surface the crops. The survey of insect pests and their after 32 days of sowing date (they were associated natural enemies of cantaloupe in located one trap per each replicate of the Qaha of Qalyubiya Governorate over 2006 tested cantaloupe varieties). Traps were and 2007 summer plantation was studied. replaced every 5 days during the first season The results included survey of pests from two of study. The trap catches were transferred to classes (Insecta and Arachnida). Six insect the laboratory, where pests and natural orders were recorded; Hemiptera, enemies were obtained by using a sieve plate Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, to isolate the different species in the same Neuroptera and Dermaptera. Arachnida was day. represented by two orders (Acarina and The second sampling technique was Araneida) (Younes et al. ,2010). carried out for two consecutive seasons, The aim of this study was to survey sampling started after about two weeks from dipteran and coleopteran natural enemies cultivation date and on 7-day intervals associated with cantaloupe crop pests. (continued for 15 weeks). Samples of 180 Materials and methods leaves (10 leaves x 3 replicates) for each The study was carried out in the cultivar were randomly picked out from Experimental Farm of Plant Protection different levels "upper, middle and lower" of Research Institute at Qaha region,Asouthwest the plant in the morning. A primary of Qalyubiya Governorate (30°17'00 "N, 31° examination was made by naked eyes, in the 12'00A “E of 133 meters (436 ft) below sea field then randomized leaf samples were kept level) in Egypt. An area of about 2100 m2 separately in polyethylene bags and was cultivated with six cantaloupe cultivars transferred to the laboratory. All the collected (i.e. Ideal, E81-065, Mirella, Vicar, E81-013 species from both sampling techniques were and Magenta) over 2006 and 2007 summer isolated and counted either by naked eyes (in plantation during the period of vegetative case of large insect species) or by aid of a growth until the harvest of cantaloupe. Each stereomicroscope (in case of small insects). cultivar was cultivated in 350 m2 with three Some of these species can be identified replicates (of about 116.67 m2). Seeds were immediately, but others were difficult to be sown on April 13th and 16th over 2006 and known, so they were assorted into orders then 2007, respectively at 30 cm apart between into species and preserved in vials containing hills in CRBD. The recommended 70% ethanol alcohol to be identified. agricultural practices for cantaloupe The different pests, predators and cultivation was completely adopted without parasitoids recorded on leaves of cantaloupe any chemical control measures through the cultivars were estimated by counting the total period of study. The survey was carried out number on both leaf sides. by two sampling techniques A label including all necessary a. Water traps filled with water and detergent information concerning locality, date of (pit-fall traps) and distributed between plants collection and name of the host plant (cantaloupe) was stuck on a vial of each 572 Egypt. J. Plant Prot. Res. Inst. (2020), 3 (2): 571 - 579 unknown specimen, also the abundance and Becker was recorded as adults in soil during developmental stage of species were August, however, this species considered as considered. Also, there was a complete pest on cantaloupe cultivars. Superfamily systematic arrangement of classes, orders, Platypezoidea was represented by one species suborders, super families, families and sub- belonging to family Phoridae; Megaselia families of all arthropod species as possible. scalaris Loew and this species occurred as Identification of most insect species belong to adults infested cantaloupe leaves during July- orders Diptera and Coleoptera was carried out August. Superfamily Asiloidea was found to in Survey and Taxonomy Research be represented by one species Scenopinus Department, Plant Protection Research glabrifrons (Meign) belongs to the family Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza. Scenopinidae observed as predator adults on Results and discussion cantaloupe leaves and flowers during May. A taxonomic list of each species Superfamily Empidoidea was represented by together with their economic importance, one family (Dolichopodidae) and two frequency, site occurrence, insect stage, time predator species observed as adults; of occurrence were found in detail as follow: (Hydrophorus praecox Lehmann during July- 1. Order: Diptera: August and Tachytrechus planitarsis Adults are among man's greatest (Becker) during August on cantaloupe leaves. tormentors ever-persistent nuisances and his Superfamily Tephritoidea was represented by most effective enemies as carriers of one family (Otitidae) and one species innumerable agencies of disease and death. (Physiphora demandata) observed as adult Although no other order of insects affects on plant flowers and this species considered humans so adversely, many large families do as pollinator and/or visitor (Table 1). much good in the reduction of carrion and in 1.2. Suborder Cyclorrhapha: the destruction of phytophagous insects that Suborder Cyclorrhapha was destroy agricultural crops. Flies are among represented in the present study by four swiftest and most agile fliers and can superfamilies (Opomyzoidea, Ephydroidea, outmaneuver any other insect on the wing. Muscoidea and Syrphoidea). Opomyzoidea Regardless of exaggerated claims, certain was represented by one family species can probably travel 50 miles an hour (Agromyzidae), comprises two species which is a real accomplishment for such considered as pests on cantaloupe. Moderate small, light and fragile bodies. While, many population of L. trifolii at different species are more or less noiseless in the air, developmental stages was observed on plant most members of the group are decidedly leaves duringA May-AugustA andA theA secondA noisy and hum with a soft or loud, low or species was Melanagromza cunctans MeignA high-pitched tune which is somewhat which was observed as few adults individuals characteristic of the families, and may serve on leaves and stems of cantaloupe during in locating the opposite sex in mating. This July-August. Superfamily