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Title: Survey of natural enemies of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Egypt with new location and world records

Author
item ABD-RABOU, SHAABAN - Egyptian Ministry Of Agriculture
item Simmons, Alvin

Submitted to: International Whitefly Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2013
Publication Date: 5/13/2013
Citation: Abd-Rabou, S., Simmons, A.M. 2013. Survey of natural enemies of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Egypt with new location and world records. First International Whitefly Symposium. Kolymbari, Crete, Greece, 20-24 May 2013. p 210.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: On a global scale, there is an extensive number of species of whiteflies which feed on an extensive number of host plants. Whiteflies are known to be attacked by diverse natural enemies. A survey was done to access the natural enemies of whiteflies in Egypt. Materials and Methods: New data on the distribution and quantity of species of natural enemies of whiteflies in Egypt were combined with our published reports over the past 14 years. Agricultural and wild plant species infested with whiteflies were examined across different governorates of Egypt. Leaves, leaflets and fruits from different host plants were collected for further examination in the laboratory regarding host plants, whiteflies, and natural enemies. Whitefly-infested leaves were collected and placed separately in paper bags. These were maintained in the laboratory in well-ventilated containers until the emergence of parasitoids. Identification of parasitoids was made by examining mounted adults in Hoyers medium. Predators of whiteflies were likewise surveyed in different bioclimatic locations in Egypt, and were based on direct observations on whitefly-infested plants. The taxonomy of predators was determined after examining pin-mounted adults. Also, fungi attacking whiteflies were collected, isolated and identified. Results and Conclusions: Fifty-four species of natural enemies of 15 species of whiteflies in Egypt were found in the survey. Seven additional species of whiteflies have historically been reported from Egypt, but they have been rare from desert sites; they were not found in our survey. Most of the whitefly data in the survey concerned Bemisia tabaci, Siphoninus phillyreae, and Aleurolobus marlatti, respectively. Overall, 29 species of parasitoids, 16 species of predators, and 9 species of fungi were found attacking whiteflies in Egypt. The survey included new world records for 14 species of natural enemies (22 host whitefly records and 22 plant records for a given natural enemy on a given whitefly species). In addition, there were 83 new location records within Egypt. Moreover, this study resulted in the detection of 10 species of natural enemies that were not previously reported from Egypt. Results from this research extend the knowledge of natural enemies attacking whiteflies.