Abstract
Field experiments were conducted, to evaluate the role of cultural practices and natural enemies (parasitoids and predators) for suppressing population of the pink sugarcane mealybug (PSMB), Saccharicoccus sacchari in sugarcane fields at Mallawi district. Minia Governorate, Middle Egypt, during the two successive seasons of 2006 and 2007. Results proved that the varieties Giza 21/95 and Giza 37/85 were highly susceptible to (PSMB) infestation followed by the varieties G.T. 54/9 and Giza 47/88, while the other varieties (Giza 96/74 and Ph 8013 were less susceptible based on percent infested internodes and number of mealybug individuals per stalk. Also, the number of mealybugs (nymphs and adults) per plant associated with infested internodes significantly decreased as the space between rows increased. Furthermore, the percentage of infested internodes and numbers of mealybugs differed within seasons and among stages of the sugarcane crop cycle, where the PSMB infestation started earlier and much greater in ratoon crops than plant crops. As well, burning of dry leaves left in the field integrated with flood irrigation application after harvesting sugarcane stubble during March and April, significantly reduced the percentage of infested internodes by 73.5 and 70.2% and reduced numbers of meal bugs per plant by 67.5 and 64.3% in both seasons, respectively in comparison with the control The species of Anagyrus sacharicola Timberlake (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidael was identified as a primary endoparasitoid of the mealybug pest. Highest parasitism was recorded during September in plant cane and during August in first ratoon cane. Survey of the predators associated with sugarcane mealybug revealed the presence of Scymuns syricacus Mars (26.0, 20.64%).; true spiders (15.0,16.28%); Rodolia cardinalis (13.37, 14.29%);Orius albidipenis Reut.(11.47, 11.26%); Complomma nicolasi Puton (10.28, 10.60%); Peaderus alferii Koch; (9.41, 8.55%) Coccinella undecimpunctata L.(7.83, 9.05%); Geocoris sp. (3.48. 4.91%); and Cydonia vicina isis Gr.(3.16, 4.42%) of the total predators population in both plant and 1(st) ratoon crops, respectively. Thus, these studies may help in recommending a successful control program to check the ravages of sugarcane mealybug.