The role of Mirid bug, Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Miridae) in regulating populations of aphids and white flies on marigold, Calendula officinalis treated with different fertilizers [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Weekly field observations of Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Miridae) and its preys, aphids and whiteflies were achieved on marigold, Calendula offecinalis (Family Asteraceae) treated with three different fertilizers (organic, bacterial and chemical) during 2012/2013 season. The populations of the mirid bug on treated plants showed higher mean numbers than untreated; whereas, the mean numbers were the highest in chemical treatment, intermediate in bacterial treatment, while the lowest one was obtained in organic treatment. On the other hand the populations of aphids and whiteflies. on the fertilized plants showed lower mean numbers than untereated, this may be due to the role of the predatory mirid bug; fed on aphids and whiteflies. All of the three insect species had one peak during the season. The correlation between the climatic factors (daily range, daily mean of temperature and daily relative humidity) and the three mentioned insect population activities were positive but insignificant, except in the case of the daily mean temperature; it was significant and positive with N. tenuis and negatively insignificant with aphid and whitefly populations. Clear negative correlation between N. tenuis and aphid population could be found, while it was slightly negative with whitefly

Summary in Arabic.

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