STUDIES ON THE NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE MAIN HOMOPTEROUS INSECTS INFESTING SQUASH PLANTS AT KAFR EL-SHEIKH

Abstract

Squash plants are subject to infestation by many insects, the most serious insect pests that attack squash plants under the Egyptian field conditions are the homopterous insects. In Egypt, weather conditions are suitable to growing squash all the year-round, meanwhile these conditions encourage the insect infestations. To manage such insects, ecological and biological studies should be undertaken on squash plantations.

The current study was carried out on squash plantations located at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, KafrEl-Sheikh, Tanta University from 1998 through 200 I. In addition, investigations were practiced at the laboratory of Economic Entomology Department, in the same Faculty.