occurrence and distribution of insect pests attacking some vegetable ...

Pak. Entomol. Vol. 31, No.2, 2009OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF INSECT PESTS ATTACKINGSOME VEGETABLE PLANTS AT FIVE LOCALITIES OF EL- QASSIMPROVINCE, SAUDI ARABIAAli Saleh AlbarrakDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia.ABSTRACTInsect pests attacking cowpea, cucumber and tomato plants along the growth periods, were determined at fivelocalities of El–Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia, during 2009 season. Whitefly, aphids, leaf miners, thrips,lepidopterans and coleopteran were recorded. Frequency occurrence and distribution of these pests wereregistered along the three periods of growth (seedling period, vegetative period, flowering and fruiting period).At seedling period, thrips and aphid insects occurred at the highest frequency. At vegetative period, leaf miners,whitefly and some lepidopterans were found to be the highest frequency. At flowering and fruiting period aphid,lepidopterans and coleopteran were recorded as the highest numbers of collected insects. There were significantdifferences in the species and numbers of collected insects among the localities under study. Cucumber wasclassified as the most resistant crop against the recorded insect pests.INTRODUCTIONAt present time, most of agricultural lands are undercultivation with vegetable crops for both localconsumption and export. The most important cropsare: leguminous plants, squash, cucumber,muskmelon, watermelon, pumpkin and tomato(Galande et al., 2005). Insects seem to play a seriousrole for these crops, where they cause great damagein both quality and quantity. The successfulestablishment and range expansion of these insectshas undoubtedly been due to the large quantities oftheir primary host plants that are grown in the region,the suitable abiotic conditions and the absence ofmany parasite species that limit growth inpopulations. Liriomyza leaf miners comprise a pestgroup that causes both considerable economic lossesand serious quarantine problems (Shiao-Shiukfeng,2004). Liriomyza trifolii, the American serpentineleaf miner fly, is well known as a serious pestthroughout the world. This insect attacks over 21different plant families (Kashiwagi, et al., 2005). Inaddition, whitefly, thrips, lepidopterans andcoleopteran insect pests attack a wide range of planthosts including vegetable crops; cause a greatdamage as well as transmitted many diseasesspecially virus diseases in case of whitefly. Thisstudy was conducted on three vegetable crops whichwere attacked by these pests to determine thedistribution and occurrence frequency of insects atfive localities of El-Qassim province (Saudi Arabia).These crops were cowpea (Vigna sinensis), cucumber(Cucumus sativas) and Tomato (Lycopersicumesculentum).MATERIALS AND METHODSTo study some ecological aspects of cowpea (Vignasinensis), cucumber (Cucumus sativas) and Tomato(Lycopersicum esculentum) throughout thisinvestigation, these experiments were conducted atfive localtis of El-Qassim province (Shary, Methnab,Molida, Gammas, and Shamasia).To carry out these experiments, the area of land(1500 m 2 ) at the farm was cultivated with the threecrops mentioned above (500 m 2 each) at completelyrandomized block design (each crop was fertilizedwith recommended level of Super Phosphate andNitrate. All agricultural practices were done as usualexcept the application of pesticides. Each crop wascultivated with three replicates. After germination,weekly leaf samples were picked up at random fromeach crop for one month, which consisted of 15leaves and collected in plastic bags. Thereafter,samples were transferred into the laboratory forexamination by aid of stereoscopic binocular. Matureand immature stages (larvae and pupae (if occurred))of different insects were counted and recorded foreach crop separately, these samples presentedseedling period of each crop.148

Pak. Entomol. Vol. 31, No.2, 2009One month later, weekly leaf samples were picked upat random from each crop, which consist of 15 leavesthat collected in plastic bags representing vegetativeperiod of each crop. Mature and immature stages(larvae and pupae (if occurred)) of different insectswere counted and recorded for each crop separately.Two months later, weekly leaf samples were pickedup at random from each crop, which consist of 15leaves that collected in plastic bags representingvegetative period of each crop. Mature and immaturestages (larvae and pupae if occurred) of differentinsects were counted and recorded for each cropseparately.At the end of experiments, results of the insects werestatistically analyzed using Costat computer programto determine the analysis of variance at 5% level.Frequency occurrence of different insect species wascalculated at the five localities under investigation.Data were statistically analyzed using Computerprogram of Costat 22 (1998) multiple test (ANOVA).RESULTS AND DISCUSSION1- Insect population attacking leaves and pods ofcowpea plants cultivated at five localities ofEl-Qassim province:Data presented in Table 1, recorded six insect pests incowpea fields at the five localities underinvestigation (Shary, Methnab, Molida, Gammas,and Shamasia). These insects included aphids, thrips,white fly, leaf miners, cotton leaf worm, bean podworm, American boll worm, cucurbita beetle.At seedling period, there were five species of insects,the highest numbers were recorded with white flyfollowed by aphids, thrips, leaf miners, cotton leafworm.Table 1:localitiesAverage numbers of insect pests infesting cowpea plants at five localities of El-QassimProvince, Saudi Arabia.Average numbers of insect stages per leafaphids thrips white flyleafminerscottonleafwormbean podwormAmericanbollwormcucurbitabeetleat seedling periodShary 3.3 bc 3.0 a 10.7a 6.0 bc 10.7 a 0.0 0.0 0.0Methnab 4.0 ab 2.3 a 8.0 ab 8.0abc 12.3ab 0.0 0.0 0.0Molida 4.0 ab 2.7 a 7.3 ab 12.7a 15.7 a 0.0 0.0 0.0Gammas 2.0 c 1.3 a 7.7 ab 10.3ab 0.0 c 0.0 0.0 0.0Shamasia 5.7 a 0.0 a 5.0 b 3.3 c 0.0 c 0.0 0.0 0.0LSD 5 % 1.8 3.0 4.0 5.2 4.7 - - -at vegetative periodShary 17.7 a 0.0 35.7 a 5.7 a 9.3 a 0.0 0.0 0.0Methnab 12.7 b 0.0 25.7 b 3.0ab 6.0 b 0.0 0.0 0.0Molida 10.0bc 0.0 20.3bc 3.3ab 6.3 b 0.0 0.0 0.0Gammas 13.0b 0.0 15.3cd 2.3ab 0.0 c 0.0 0.0 0.0Shamasia 8.3 c 0.0 10.3 d 0.0 b 0.0 c 0.0 0.0 0.0LSD 5 % 3.6 - 9.1 3.3 2.8 - - -at flowering and fruiting periodShary 2.0 b 0.0 10.0 b 0.0 0.0 12.7a 0.0 0.0Methnab 4.7 a 0.0 12.7ab 0.0 0.0 10.0ab 0.0 0.0Molida 4.3 a 0.0 13.0ab 0.0 0.0 8.0 b 0.0 0.0Gammas 2.0 b 0.0 14.7 a 0.0 0.0 3.3 c 0.0 0.0Shamasia 1.3 b 0.0 5.3 c 0.0 0.0 2.3 c 0.0 0.0LSD 5 % 1.8 - 3.6 - - 3.6 - -Data are means of 15 replicates. Means in columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly differentat 5%.149

Pak. Entomol. Vol. 31, No.2, 2009Shary, Methnab, Molida localities could be classifiedas highly infested localities while Gammas, andShamasia recorded as the least infected. At vegetativeperiod, the numbers of white fly insects were sharplyincreased, in addition aphids insects were increased,while there were no individuals of thrips insects. Asfor the variation in the infestation among localitiesShary, Methnab, and Molida localities were higherinfested with insects than the other two localities.Statistical analysis of the data indicated significantdifferences in the numbers of insects among the fivelocalities under study.At flowering and fruiting period, population numbersof insects was sharply declined except aphids andwhite fly, it could be noticed the presence of beanpod worm.2- Insect population attacking leaves and fruitsof tomato plants cultivated at five localities ofEl- Qassim province:Data presented in Table 2, recorded six insect pests intomato fields at the five localities under investigation(Shary, Methnab, Molida, Gammas, and Shamasia),these insects are, aphids, thrips, white fly, leafminers, cotton leaf worm, and the American bollworm.At seedling period, there were only four species ofinsects. The highest numbers were recorded withwhite fly followed by aphids, thrips and leaf miners.Shary, Methnab, Molida localities could be classifiedas highly infested localities while Gammas andShamasia localities recorded the least ones with anexception in the numbers of aphids where the highestnumbers of aphids was recorded at Gammas locality.At vegetative period, the numbers of white fly insectswere sharply increased. In addition aphids wereincreased at Shary and Methnab localities anddecreased at the rest localities, while there were noindividuals of thrips. Infestations of cotton leaf wormwere found at all localities.As for the variation in the infestation amonglocalities Shary, Methnab and Molida localities werehighly infested with insects than the other twolocalities with significant differences.Statistical analysis of the data indicated significantdifferences in the numbers of insects among the fivelocalities under study.At flowering and fruiting period, population numbersof insects was sharply declined except aphids andwhitefly, however, the presence of Americanbollworm, was noticed.3- Insect population attacking leaves and fruitsof cucumber plants cultivated at five localitiesof El- Qassim province:Data presented in Table (3) recorded only four insectpests in cucumber fields at the five localities underinvestigation (Shary, Methnab, Molida, Gammas, andShamasia). These insects included aphids, thrips,white fly, leaf miners and cucurbita beetle.At seedling period, there were only four species ofinsects, the highest numbers were recorded withwhite fly followed by aphids, thrips and leaf miners.It was noticed that there were no thrips in theGammas and Shamasia localities. Shary, Methnab,Molida localities could be classified as highlyinfested localities while Gammas and Shamasialocalities recorded as least effected. There weresignificant differences in the numbers of insectsbetween Shary, Methnab, Molida localities and theothers.At vegetative period, the numbers of white fly andaphids were sharply increased, while there were noindividuals of thrips at all localities. Cucurbita beetlewas recorded at Shary, Methnab, Molida localitieswith a few numbers without significant differences.As for the variation in the infestation amonglocalities Shary, Methnab, and Molida localitieswere highly infested with insects than the other twolocalities.At flowering and fruiting period, population numbersof aphids, white fly and cucurbita beetle insects weresharply declined with no significant differencesamong the three localities (Shary, Methnab andMolida). At flowering and fruiting period, Gammasand Shamasia localities infested only with white flyinsects. In addition, there were significant differencesin the numbers of insects between Shary, Methnab,Molida localities and the other two localities.150

Pak. Entomol. Vol. 31, No.2, 2009Table 2:localitiesAverage numbers of insect pests infesting tomato plants at five localities of El- QassimProvince, Saudi Arabia.Average numbers of insect stages per leafaphids thrips white flyleafminersat seedling periodcottonleafwormbean podwormAmericanbollwormShary 12.3bc 10.0ab 35.7ab 10.7 a 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0Methnab 15.0ab 12.3a 42.3a 12.7 a 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0Molida 17.7a 11.0ab 33.3 b 8.3 ab 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0Gammas 18.3a 8.3 b 25.7 c 6.0 ab 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0Shamasia 10.0 c 2.7 c 17.0 d 2.3 b 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0LSD 5 % 3.6 3.3 7.1 6.8 - - - -at vegetative periodShary 20.3 a 0.0 43.3 a 12.7 a 12.3 a 0.0 0.0 0.0Methnab 18.3 a 0.0 48.0 a 14.3 a 10.3ab 0.0 0.0 0.0Molida 16.0ab 0.0 32.0 b 16.0 a 10.0ab 0.0 0.0 0.0Gammas 10.0bc 0.0 28.7 b 4.7 b 8.0 b 0.0 0.0 0.0Shamasia 6.0 c 0.0 15.3 c 2.3 b 4.0 c 0.0 0.0 0.0LSD 5 % 7.6 - 5.5 6.6 3.3 - - -at flowering and fruiting periodShary 5.3 a 0.0 33.3 a 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 b 0.0Methnab 3.3 a 0.0 22.7 b 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.7 a 0.0Molida 0.0 b 0.0 17.0 b 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.7 a 0.0Gammas 0.0 b 0.0 10.3 c 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 b 0.0Shamasia 0.0 b 0.0 8.7 c 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.3 b 0.0cucurbitabeetleLSD 5 % 2.3 - 5.8 - - - 1.6 -Data are means of 15 replicates. Means in columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly differentat 5%.4- Frequency occurrence percentages of insectpests infesting three vegetable crops at fivelocalities of El- Qassim Province, SaudiArabiaData presented in Table (4) indicated that there wereeight insect kinds infesting the three vegetable cropsunder investigation (Cowpea, Tomato, Cucumber),These insects were aphids i.e. Aphis gossypii,,Brevicoryne brassica (L.), Aphis craccivora (Koch),Aphis pomi, Thrips, (Thrips tabaci), White fly(Bemesia tabaci), leaf miners (Liriomyza trifolii),cotton leaf worm (Spodoptera littoralis), bean podworm (Etiella zinckenella) American boll worm(Heliothis armigera) and cucurbita beetle, Epilachnachrysomelina.On cowpea plants, the percentages of occurrence ofaphids, thrips, whitefly, leaf miners, cotton leafworm, bean pod worm, American boll worm, andcucurbita beetle were 80.1, 40, 80.2, 48, 44, 30, 0,and 0 %, respectively.On tomato plants, the percentages of occurrence ofaphids, thrips, whitefly, leaf miners, cotton leafworm, bean pod worm, American boll worm, and151

Pak. Entomol. Vol. 31, No.2, 2009Table 4:localitiesFrequency occurrence % of insect pests infesting three vegetable plants at five localities of Al-Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia.Average numbers of frequency occurrence % of insect pestsaphids thrips white flyleafminerscottonleafwormbean podwormAmericanbollwormcucur-bitabeetleCowpea plantsShary 90 65 95 70 75 50 0 0Methnab 90 55 95 60 75 40 0 0Molida 90 50 85 50 70 30 0 0Gammas 75 30 75 40 0 20 0 0Shamasia 60 0 60 20 0 10 0 0Mean 80.1 40 80.2 48 44 30 0 0Tomato plantsShary 90 70 90 75 60 0 40 0Methnab 95 60 90 70 50 0 40 0Molida 95 50 90 60 50 0 30 0Gammas 80 50 80 50 40 0 20 0Shamasia 60 20 70 35 20 0 10 0Mean 85 50 85 58 44 0 28 0Cucumber plantsShary 95 50 95 70 0 0 0 50Methnab 95 40 95 60 0 0 0 30Molida 85 30 85 50 0 0 0 25Gammas 80 0 80 20 0 0 0 0Shamasia 70 0 60 10 0 0 0 0Mean 85 24 83 42 0 0 0 21REFERENCESCostat 22, 1998. A computer program for statisticalanalysis.Dong, C., Y. J. Zhang, J. K. Brown, Bin Cong, B. Y.Xu, Q. J. Wu and G. R. Zhu, 2006. Theintroduction of the exotic q biotype of Bemisiatabaci from the Mediterranean region into chinaon ornamental crops. Fla. Entomol., 89(2) :168-174.Galande, S. M., U. N. Mote and S. A. Ghorpade,2005. Host range of serpentine leaf miner(Liriomyza trifolii Burgess) and its activity inscarcity zone. J. Maharashtra Agric. Univ., 30(3): 307-310.Kashiwagi, T., Y. Horibata, D. B. Mekuria, S.Tebayashi and K. Chulsa, 2005. Ovipositionaldeterrent in the sweet pepper, Capsicumannuum, at the mature stage against Liriomyzatrifolii. Biosci. Biotechnol. Bio-chem., 69(10):1831-1835.Mansaray, A. and A. J. Sundufu, 2009. Oviposition,development and survivorship of the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci on soybean,Glycine max, and the garden bean, Phaseolusvulgaris. J. Insect Sci., 9(1): 1-6.Ramesh, R. and S. P. Ukey, 2007. Bio-efficacy ofbotanicals, microbials, and newer insecticides inthe management of tomato leaf miner, Liriomyzatrifolii (Burgess). Intern. J. Agric. Sci., 3(1):154-156.Sahoo, S. K. and K. Karmakar, 2004. Screening ofpumpkin cultivars against leaf miner (Liriomyzatrifolii Burgess) (Agromyzidae: Diptera) andwhite fly (Bemisia tabasi Genn.) (Aleyrodidae:Hemipters). J. Inter. Acad., 8(4): 575-581.Saradhi, P. M. and N. C. Patnaik, 2004. Seasonalpopulation fluctuation of serpentine leaf miner,153

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