Population Dynamics of Fiorinia Date Scale, Fiorinia phoenicis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on Date Palm Variety, Barhyin Sharkyia Governorate, Egypt.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Protection Research Institute, ARC, Dokki, Giza

Abstract

The present study was carried out throughout two successive years (2013–2014) in Sharkyia Governorate to determine the seasonal activity of fiorinia date scale, Fiorinia phoenicis Balachowsky (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on date palm variety Barhy. The obtained results showed that, both nymphal and adult stages have three periods of seasonal activity per year. The periods of nymphal activity peaked in mid June, mid September and mid November in both years, respectively. On the other hand the periods of adult female activity were in early June and early September for first and second generations but it was in mid November and early October for the third generation, respectively. The duration of seasonal activity for both nymphal and adult stages was affected significantly with the tested weather factors (daily mean temperatures and % RH). The combined effect of the tested weather factors on the population activity ranged 71.2& 63.4% in the 1st period of activity and 59.9& 69.7% in the 2nd one, while ranged 70.2 & 58.9% in the 3rd period for the 2 years, respectively.

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