FLIGHT ACTIVITY OF NOCTURNAL NEUROPTERA AS IND ICATED BY TWO LIGHT TRAP'S AT TWO DIFFERENT AREAS IN QENA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Abstract

1.- Two light traps of the Robinson type each fitted with a mercury Vapour

125 watt bulb were operated simultaneously (at two different areas desert• area and farm area in Qena) from sunset to sunrise, once every three nights, for two and half consecutive years (March 1992 - August 1994). The first trap •was set up in a desert area poor in cultivation or trees at Qena. The second trap was set up in a farm area surrounded by trees. The farm was cultivated with wheat, clover, com, tomato and beans. The mouth of the two traps was set up at a height of 1.5 meter above the ground level, and the two traps were approximately one kilometer far from each other. Twenty five species belonging to fifteen genera were identified and counted. The total catches at the first trap and second trap were over 400 and 3300 individuals, respectively. The most abundant species in both trap was Chrysoperla carnea (family: Chrysopidae) of which over 300 and 1700 individuals were collected at J st and 2nd trap respectively, tlris species formed over 92% of the total catch at 1st trap, and 53% at 2nd trap. The next commonest species was Micronemurus lepidulus (family: Myrmeleontidae) of which over 18 and 700 individuals were trapped at the 1st trap and 2nd trap respectively, tllls species fonned over 4.29% and