A Field Study to Evaluate the Role of Parasitoids and Predators on the Apricot Aphid, Hyalopterus pruni and the peach aphid, Myzus persicae in Fruit Orchards North and South of Salah al-Din Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

A field study was conducted to evaluate the role of parasitoids and predators on the apricot aphid H. pruni and the peach aphid M. persicae in fruit orchards in Salah al-Din Governorate. The results revealed the identification of the parasitoids Aphidius transcaspicus, Aphidius colemani, and Pediobios foveolatus on nymphs and adults of H. pruni and M. persicae in apricot, peach, and walnut orchards. The predator Chrysopa carnae was also identified. The results obtained showed that the parasitism rate of Aphidius transcaspicus on apricot aphid H. pruni reached its peak in the fourth week of April, reaching 90.81%, and on peach aphid M. persicae on peach trees, reaching 30.71%. Whereas, the parasitism rate of green peach aphids on walnut trees in the fourth week of April reached 90.95%. It was found that the parasitoid Aphidius transcaspicus prefers walnut trees over apricot and peach trees, as the highest parasitism rate on aphids on walnut trees reached 60.53%, whereas it reached 50.15 and 30.14% on apricot and peach trees, respectively. The results obtained confirmed the importance of biological enemies in the ecological balance and their essential role in preserving biodiversity and enhancing agricultural productivity through natural and sustainable methods.

Keywords:

biological control, apricot aphid, Hyalopterus pruni, peach aphid, Myzus persicae, parasitoids, predators, Aphidius spp.