EVALUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF NOVEL AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE APPROACHES IN IPM PROGRAMME FOR TERRESTRIAL SNAILS

Abstract

Several laboratory and field experiments were conducted to study the role of certain ecological, biological and toxicological aspects in detennining integrated management approaches on terrestrial snail pests aiming to achieve the least impact on ecosystems, stability and natural balance. The obtained results could be summarized as follow :

1- Eobania vermiculata and Monacha obstructa were common on field crops, vegetable crops and ornamental plants in most dis'-uicts at Sharkia, Dakahlia and Kafr El-Sheikh governorates. The malacophagous insects, Megaselia scalaris was associated with M obstructa and E. vermiculata in the three tested governorates, whereas with Cochlicella acuta in El-lbrahimia (Sharkia) and Biela (Kafr El­ Sheikh); while with Helicella vesta/is only in Belbies. Also, Parasarcophaga pharonis with E. vermiculata in Zagazig, Sharkia governorate. The population density of M obstructa obviously increased during spring months (March, April & May) as compared with population density during winter and autumn, the infestation did not appear in summer months.