Ecological and biological studies on icerya seychellarum(westwood)on certain horticultural crops in sharkia governorate

Ecological study on the mealybug, Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) on certain mango varieties (Alfons, Shmama, Balady, Ewas and Holman) and the relationship between the insect infestation and climatic factors (temperature ºC, relative humidity % and light intensity) were studied in Anshas El-Raml district, Sharkia Governorate during 2002 and 2003 years. The ecological studies could be summarized as follow: There was a variation in the population densities, distribution and effect of some climatic factors on the seasonal abundance and susceptibility of the mango varieties to infestation. It could be concluded that the population density of the insect preferred the eastern-north direction on Alfons, Shmama, Balady, Ewas and Holman verieties, and western-north on Alfons variety. On Balady variety it preferred eastern-south and western-south directions. That should be taken in consideration when the insecticides are used to control that pest on these varieties