0023-6152

AA00697606

2558900

Population dynamics of insect pests are complex and are dependent on various biotic and abiotic factors. Understanding pest population dynamics and factors affecting them is important for predicting pest outbreaks and constructing the management strategy. Aphids are among the major pest groups in bean crops and aphid outbreaks can frequently occur when the management is inappropriate. In the present study, we examined the population fluctuation and abundance of aphid species and their associated predators and parasitoids in faba bean fields during 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons in Kafr EL–Shiekh, Egypt. Among four pest aphids detected, Aphis craccivora was the most dominant, followed by Acyrthosiphon pisum while Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae were found in low densities throughout the season. Although A. craccivora was detected throughout the growing season, the density is notably high in the early growth stage of faba bean. Among the predators, Chrysoperla carnea and true spiders (Singa sp. and Dictyna sp. were most abundant, followed by Coccinella undecimpunctata. The other common predators were Scymnus spp., Paederous alfierii, and Orius sp. A. craccivora was found to be parasitized by the parasitoid Aphidius spp., and the percentages of parasitism were high in the beginning of growth season then declined to zero before the middle of the season. The importance of pest aphids and their natural enemies in faba bean fields was discussed.