Survey of pests and their associated natural enemies on six cantaloupe Cucumis melo l. varieties in Qaha region, Qualyobia governorate, egpy

Sampling of six cantaloupe varieties namely Ideal, E81- o65, Mirella, Vicar, E81- 013 and Magenta was conducted in summer plantation during two successive growing seasons (2006 and 2007) to determine the pests and their associated natural enemies on cantaloupe in Qaha region of Qualyobia Governorate. Two sampling techniques were conducted, water traps filled with water and detergent (pit- fall traps) and direct field observations followed by laboratory examination. Two arthropod classes were recorded during the present study (Insecta and Arachnida). At the present survey, there is a complete systematic arrangement of orders, suborders, superfamilies and families. Frequency of different species, developmental stages, sites and periods of occurrence were recorded. Insecta was represented by thirty seven species belonging to twenty one families of six insect orders, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Neuroptera and Dermaptera. Twenty Hemipterous species were recorded belonging to 10 families (Aleyrodidae, Aphididae, Cicadellidae, Margarodidae Lygaeidae, Reduviidae, Pentatomidae, Pyrrhocoridae, Cydnidae and Anthocoridae). Our observations indicated that Bemisia tabaci Genn. was the most abundant and major pest infesting cantaloupe. High populations were recorded for Goniagnatus guttuinerius Kbm. (Fam. Cicadellidae), Remaudiereana annulipies Bar. and Henestaris laticeps Jak. (Fam. Lygaeidae). Moderate populations from Nezara viridula L. (Fam. Pentatomidae) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Fam. Aphididae) were also observed. On the other hand, other Hemipterous species were found at low levels. All of these species considered as pests except two predator species (Coranus aegyptius F., Reduviidae and Orius albidipennis (Reuter), Anthocoridae). Lepidoptera represented by 7 insect pests belonging to four families (Pieridae, Noctuidae, Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae). Order Orthoptera in the present survey represented by 5 insect pests belonging to three families (Gryllotalpidae, Gryllidae and Acrididae). Thysanopterans was represented by a serious and destructive pest, Thrips tabaci Lind. and Scolothrips sexmaculatus Hinds. which considered as predator, and these two species belonging to family Thripidae.Neuroptera was represented by two species, Cueta variegata Klug. and Chrysoperla carnea Steph. and both of them belonging to predatory families (Myrmeleonidae and Chrysopidae). In the present study, there is only one predatory species Labidura riparia Pall. (Dermaptera: Labiduridae). Arachnida was represented by eighteen species belonging to fourteen families of two orders (Acarina and Araneida). All of the recorded Acarine species are pests except Phytoseiilus persimilis (Fam. Phytoseiidae) which considered as predator. These species belonging to five families (Tetranychidae, Tarsonemidae, Tydeidae, Acaridae and Phytoseiidae). The most abundant species of these Acarine was Tetranychus urticae Koch. (Fam. Tetranychidae) and all of the other species were found in low levels. On the other hand, Tydeus sp (Fam. Tydeidae) and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Fam. Acaridae) were found in a moderate levels. Our observations clearly indicated that there are 12 species of true spiders (Araneida) belonging to 9 families and the most abundant species was Thanatus albini Audouins (Fam. Philodromidae). From these findings one can say that true spiders can play an important and vital role as biological control agents against pests recorded in this study.