Predicting the Geographical Distribution of The Leaf-Gall Thrips, Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) and Their Interaction with Host Plants in Egypt

Abdelrhman, Galal,; M. M;, Galhoum, Ahmad; M., Hammad, Kotb; A., Riad, Saber

doi:10.21608/eajbsa.2023.332052

Predicting the Geographical Distribution of The Leaf-Gall Thrips, Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) and Their Interaction with Host Plants in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University

10.21608/eajbsa.2023.332052

Abstract

Leaf-gall thrips, Gynaikothrips ficorum is an invasive pest that causes significant damage to some crops in Egypt. Understanding the geographical distribution of this pest and its interaction with host plants is crucial for effective management strategies. During the current study, ecological niche modeling was used to predict the future distribution of G. ficorum in Egypt based on environmental variables. We also investigated the interaction between G. ficorum and its host plant by analyzing the infestation rate and damage severity on different fig cultivars by using MaxEnt technique. G. ficorum has a high potential for spread throughout most of Egypt, with the ultimate suitability in the Nile Delta region. Additionally, we found one species of fig plant cultivars namely, Ficus microcarpa L. f. was more susceptible to infestation and damage by G. ficorum, highlighting the importance of selecting resistant cultivars for sustainable pest management. The results revealed that the number of galls per plant was positively correlated with plant cover across the studied areas. These findings provide valuable insights into the geographical distribution and host plant interactions of G. ficorum in Egypt, which can inform targeted control measures and improve fig production in different localities in Egypt.

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