EFFECT OF AGRO ECOSYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS ON THE ACTIVITY OF CERTAIN PESTS INFESTING GREEN BEAN

Abstract

In Egypt, bean plants are considered as important economic crops and represented a significant source of national income. They have an economic value for local and exterior markets. The cultivated area was increased especially for exportation, whereas the production of green pods of bean was 251279 tons from the cultivated area of 57873 feddans while the dry seeds were 69486 tons from the plants cultivated in 57877feddans, according to Anonymous (2012). It infested with many pests specially, the sap sucking insects during growing season which cause considerable damage in the bean crop under Egyptian conditions. The present study was conducted during 2011 & 2012 seasons on green bean plants at Qalubiya governorate to survey the pests infesting these two varieties (Bronco & Nebraska). The population fluctuations of the most important pests and their relation to the abiotic & biotic factors (Means of the maximum, minimum, mean relative humidity, age of plant and their predators, Orius albidipennis (Reuter)., Coccinella undecimpunctata (Reiche), phytoseiulus macropils (Banks) and the parasite Opius dissitus (Muesebeck)} were tested to clarify their simultaneous effects on the population dynamics of the pests infesting bean. The efficiency of different chemical compounds and natural compounds in reducing the population densities of bean. Also, the interaction between of intercropping system and agricultural ecosystems on the rate of infestation with some bean pests. In addition, loss assessment and estimation of economic levels of infestation was estimated. Results could be summarized as follow: Survey of pests and its associated natural enemies occurred on bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): Survey of pests and associated predators were occurred on Bronco & Nebraska varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), seasonal abundance were conducted throughout two successive seasons 2011 and 2012, at Qalubiya governorate. The survey of insect and mite pests recorded on (Phaseolus vulgaris