Effect of parasitization by Apanteles syleptae F., plant extract and chemical insecticide on the differential haemocyte counts of the olive leaf moth, Palpita unionalis hubner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Olive, Olcae europaea L. (Oleaceaea) is an economically important crop in Mediterranean region and particularly in Egypt. The olive moth, Palpita unionalis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) infests tlowers, fruit and leaves causing reduction of fruit setting. ITuit drop and general weakening of trees. Pest control is a major concern of olive growers and its annual cost is added to associate crop losses contributes substantially to the total cost of olive production. In view of the environmental degradation by toxic pesticides, emphasis nowadays, is being put on natural products for controlling the pest populations. Also, the reduction of pesticides in olive orchards, the result of recent advances in olive pest management, allowed the increase of natural enemies of the pest commonly present in olive orchards and kept moth densities below economic threshold levels (Katsoyannos, 1992 and EL-Khawas, 2000).

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