Preliminary study of some aphid natural enemies of Tulkarm-Northern West-Bank and their aphid-plant asociations

Abstract

Aphids are one of the major pests attacking cultivation in the city of Tulkarm. Chemical control often failed to reduce their numbersto a non damaging levels. Inorder to convertto organic production; we should know more about these pests andtheir naturally occurring antagonist; which is very essential in the integrated pest management programs. A field surveywas carried outin Tulkarm, in 2009 and 2010; on aphid species attacking vegetative crops and orchards. Thirty species of different natural enemies were recorded; fourteen Coccinellidae, two Anthocoridae and one Miridae, three Syrphidae, onespecies of each of Chrysopidae, Chamaemyiidae, and red soldier beetle. In addition tosix parasitoidspecies and one entomopathogenic fungi. Results are also presented by host aphids and by their host plant species.