Sugar beet, Beta vulgaris L., is the main source of sugar production in Egypt, followed by sugar cane. Unfortunately, this crop is subject to several insect infestations, among which is the green stink bug, Nezara viridula L. The current investigation was carried out during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons to monitor the population dynamics of N. viridula and associated predators and parasitoids in three sugar beet cultivation dates. Averages of the insect population density were 5.40-5.73, 8.93-9.27, and 17.93-18.74 nymphs and adults / 5 sugar beet plants in the first, second, and third cultivations, respectively. Six insect predators were collected as associated with N. viridula. The most dominant was Chrysoperla carnea (24.06-32.73%), while the least dominant was Paederus alfierii (5.43-7.96%). The egg parasitoid, Trissolcus basalis, was found parasitizing the egg masses of N. viridula. In the 2022/2023 season, the parasitisms of N. viridula eggs were 35.82, 34.59, and 36.17% in the mid-August, mid-September, and mid-October, respectively. The corresponding values of parasitism in the 2023/2024 season were 33.25, 30.15, and 32.76%, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that the correlations among populations of N. viridula and populations of all predators and parasitoids were usually highly significant and positive. The current results show that the sugar beet fields are rich in biological control agents that actively regulate the population density of N. viridula. So, pesticide applications against this green stink bug may not be required in most cases.
Keywords : Beta vulgaris L., predators, parasitoids, stink bug, plantation.,
Received:12/15/2024 12:00:00 AM; Accepted: 1/30/2025 12:00:00 AM