(BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PALM DATE FRUIT PESTS IN A.R.E. (SIWA OASIS

Abstract

The present study covered the following topics: Survey of date fruit pests and their natural enemies (parasitoids, predators, pathogens) in Siwa Oasis, morphology and biology of two parasitoid secured from two different date fruit pests, interaction between the surveyed parasitoid species on different date fruit pests and host-parasitoid relationship..

Morphological and biological studies were carried out on the two parasitoid species Pflanerotoma leucobasis Kriechbaumer and Goniozus legnesi Gordh. The present study covered the period 1997-2000. Evaluation of release of the egg parasitoid, Tricltogramma evanescens Westw . in the control of six date fruit pests in Siwa Oasis and the • success in reducing percentage of infestation with these pests and the possibility to obtain date fruits free of infestation with insect pests and their feces and free of any hann pesticide residues and have the chance to compete in outside markets. The use of bio-control methods helps to keep the environment free from pollution.