Al-Awamleh, R.A.A. 2009 . Ecological and Biological Study of Fig Wax ... Ceroplastes rusci L. (Homoptera: Coccidae) and Evaluation ... Some Safe Insecticides ... control. Doctorate Thesis, Damascus University, Syria. Damascus, Syria 147 pp.

Notes: Full title: Ecological and Biological Study of Fig Wax Scale Ceroplastes rusci L. (Homoptera: Coccidae) and Evaluation of Efficacy of Some Safe Insecticides on its control. Life history of fig wax scale (FWS) Ceroplastes rusci L. was studied on fig trees at two locations for two consecutive seasons (2006 and 2007) in Jordan. The mean fecundity of C. rusci was 911- 950 eggs/ female in the first generation and 867 -855 in the second generation in Al-Salt in 2006 and 2007 subsequently. While in Wadi-Shuieb, the mean fecundity was 1312-1409 eggs/female in the first generation and 1463-1291 in the second generation in 2006 and 2007, subsequently. Time of appearance and longevity of different stages were determined. This insect pest had two generations per a year. The first generation time was 70-73 days in Al-Salt and 62-63 days in WadiShuieb. FWS overwintered as 2nd, 3 rd nymphal stages or pre-ovipositing females in Al-Salt highlands and as pre-ovipositing females in Wadi-Shuieb. The seasonal changes in the female reproductive system of C. rusci collected from two locations were monitored throughout 2007 by dissecting individuals from overwintering scales. The first sign of ovarian development started in early February. In Al-Salt, the first appearance of eggs was delayed three weeks compared to Wadi-Shuieb. This was because of slower increase in temperature in Al-Salt compared to Wadi-Shuieb. By late May approximately 100% of the females in Wadi-Shuieb had well defined eggs whereas only 70% of female collected from Al-Salt had eggs. In summer generation, the first appearance of eggs was recorded in early July in the two sites. In autumn, the overwintering scales overwintered with undeveloped ovaries. The results indicated that FWS had two generations. Within-plant, within shoot and within leaf distribution of FWS was studied on fig plant in Al-Salt in 2007. The results showed that more ovipositing females were found in the west direction. After crawlers emergence, more nymphs were counted on leaves in the east direction. As the nymphs grew, they dispersed to sites which were more exposed to sun rays. The height affected insignificantly the insect distribution. The insect preferred the upper surface of leaves while the first basal leaves significantly had the highest number of scales. More total scales were found on leaves compared to fruits and twigs. Therefore, the light intensity and wind were the main factors controlling the distribution of FWS. The impact of host plants on different biological aspects of FWS were tested by infesting twenty five plant species recorded in the literature as hosts of FWS. Nerium oleander, Thevetia sp., Buxus balearica, Ficus carica, Ficus carica (wild fig), Populus deltoids and Strelitzia sp. were heavily infested with FWS. Salix babylonica, Hedera helix, Albizia sp., Ficus nitida, Chamaerops sp. and Pittosporum tobira were moderately infested. Ficus benjamina and Phoenix sp. were slightly infested. The other plants were not infested. Ovipositing females appeared 1-7 days more or less compared to scales reared on F. carica. Mean total fecundity ranged from 30 to 885 eggs/ female. The least average number of eggs was obtained from females reared on P. tobira. compared to Buxus plant. Most of the tested plants showed insects with normal size and color except insects reared on N. oleander, H. helix and P. tobira. Rearing of fig wax scale was examined in the laboratory on four cultivars of pumpkin and on Hedera helix, Pittosporum tobira, Nerium oleander and Ficus carica. FWS was successfully reared on Early Sugar Pie pumpkin cultivar, N. oleander and F. carica. Data were collected on survival percentage, development time for first and second generation, size and color of adults, average number of eggs/ female and sooty mold index. Of the hosts tested, pumpkin and fig were ideal hosts for rearing. Fig was good host for rearing but highly susceptible for mites infestation. The susceptibility of seven fig Ficus carica L. cultivars namely: Ajlouni, Byadi, Khartamoni, Khdari, Mwazi, Humari and Zraki was evaluated to fig wax scale, Ceroplastes rusci L., in 2006. Results showed that there were no cultivars of fig immune to this pest but some cultivars were more susceptible than the others. Two months after infestation, Khdari had the highest number of scales, followed by Zraki, Byadi, and Mwazi, respectively where as the infestation levels of Ajlouni, Khartamoni and Humari were as a minimum. Zraki had the highest percentage of insect survival, two months after infestation. Distribution of scales over the transplants differed significantly. The highest number of scales was monitored on leaves of Zraki, while twigs and leaf petioles of Khdari were occupied with greatest number of wax scale. Results from the field survey confirmed the differences in susceptibility among different fig cultivars, with Khdari and Mwazi had the highest level followed by Ajlouni and Humari, while the other cultivars showed intermediate levels. The parasitic and predatory complex of FWS was surveyed in Jordan during two years (2006-2007). 100 FWS infested samples from five plant species (fig, wild fig, oleander, poplar and mistletoe) from 43 different locations were sampled. Seven parasitoids belonging to four families of Hymenoptera were reared from the FWS. Scutellista caerulea Fonscolombe (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was the most abundant parasitoid. It was collected form 91 % of the surveyed locations. The predators belong to Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, Thysanoptera and Acari. The seasonal trend of S. caerule a was also studied at two sites. The effects of dormant and summer sprays with conventional and non-conventional insecticides were evaluated against FWS in the field and in the plastic house in 2006 and 2007. Dormant spray with mineral oil in combinations with Ultracidin, Confidor and Dursban corresponded to 98.5, 92.2 and 87.7% of mortality in 2007. The summer application of Actara, Dursban and Patron gave sufficient control of FWS. FWS fecundity was significantly affected by the different treatments. The effect of dormant and summer spray on the parasitoid S. caerulea (Fonscolombe) were also observed. This study was initiated to assess levels of genetic vanations by molecular biology. Fig twigs infested with FWS were collected from different 12 localities from Jordan and Syria during summer season of 2007. Each sample composed from five adult scales. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (PCR-RAPD) method was chosen as a molecular marker. Of twenty arbitrary primers screened, three were found to generate reproducible bands. Genetic distance was constructed based on Jaccard similarity indices (1908). The over all mean genetic distance between fig wax scale populations was 32%. The result showed that fig wax scale populations which have the common genome were grouped in the same cluster regardless to collection site. The wide range of genetic distance indicated high DNA polymorphism occur among FWS population. Using three primers for RAPD analysis showed an average of 83.3% polymorphisms and %16.7 similarity which indicate that RAPD method was good and effective approach that revealed genetic variation among FWS populations.