Laboratory studies were conducted at the biological control unit, college of Agriculture, University of Baghdad to evaluate some biological aspects of the predator Chilocorus bipustulatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), which is considered one of the most important predators on many insect pests, especially the scale insect, Parlatoria blanchardi, (Homoptera: Diaspididae) on date palms. The results showed that biological parameters of the predator were varied according to different degree of temperature. Egg incubation period was significantly different and reached to 7.5 and 5.44 day at 25 and 30°C respectively, Fertility was the same 100% at both temperature degrees. Larval growth periods were 17.41 and 16.12 day as well as the mortality during this stage was also the same 0.0%. Duration rate of pupal stage was 9.62 day at 25°C and reduced significantly to 7.13 day at 30°C. No morality was found, in pupal stage at both temperatures. The adult longevity rates for both males and females were also significantly different that the adult longevity of the male was 80.87 and 66.75 day and less than that of female longevity rate which reached to 90.89 and 67.0 days at both temperature degrees of 25 and 30°C, respectively. Fecundity affected significantly and reached to 254.3 and 316.0 egg female at 25°C and 30°C, respectively. The predator has very high consumption efficiency of scale insect nymphs, this predation was increased as the larva developed from one instar to the following. As average the 1ˢͭ, 2ⁿᵈ, 3ͬ ͩ and 4ᵗͪ instars were consumed 95.12, 171.4, 328.06 and 710.0 scale insect nymphs, and the average of daily consumption of each instar reached to 23.78, 34.28, 65.61 and 140.2 nymph, respectively. The average rate for the whole larval stage consumption was 263.87 and 1295.58. The female of predator consumed more nymphs (127.5 nymph/ day) than that of male (106 nymphs/ day).
The present study attempts to shed light on some biological aspects and characteristics of Piaractus brachypomus, including some biometrics, phenotypic and feeding pattern that characterizes this species. Besides, the study touches upon the body shape and the Otolith. These fish species have recently been seen frozen in the Iraqi local market. The standard length of fish specimens in this study reach 26.55cm it exceeded the specimens of Pacu fish collected from other studies from other countries, As well the specimens weight was 632gm it exceeded other studies mentioned in this manuscript. As the irregularity in the distribution of teeth rows, especially in the lower jaw was clear in our specimens. The average weight of some skull b
... Show MoreThis study was carried out to determine the effects of crude terpenoid compound extracts of Melia azedarach L. leaves and fruits on some biological aspects of whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) under laboratory conditions of 25 ± 2°C and relative humidity of 65-70%. The results indicated a significant effect on eggs and immature stages when treated with 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/ml of leaves and fruits. The mortality rate increased with concentration. It reached 98.68, 100, 100, 95.70, 86.30, and 42.68% for eggs, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd nymphal instars, pupa, and adults, respectively, at a concentration of 2 mg/ml for leaves extract. At the same time, it reached 94.86, 100,100, 100, 87.89, and 44.90% for eggs, 1st, 2nd, and 3r
... Show MoreLow temperature and high relative humidity in the spring season led to decrease of field emergence ratio and growth in maize. Planting dates and seeds stimulation can be appropriate fix. Field experiment was conducted in the two spring seasons of 2022 and 2023. Randomize complete block design with split-plot arrangement and four replications was used. Planting date treatments (February 15th, March 1st and 15th and April 1st, 15th) were placed in main plots. Seeds stimulation treatments (potassium nitrate 6 mg L-1 + licorice extract 6 g L-1 as well as treatment of soaking with distilled water only) were placed in subplots. Seeds stimulation (potassium nitrate+licorice extract) or planting date of February 15th were superior at traits of fiel
... Show MoreThe present paper investigates the role of fear and predator dependent refuge in the prey-predator system. The system describes the interaction between prey and a stage structure of predator that incorporates Holling II functional response. The predator splits into two compartments immature (juvenile) and mature (adult). The mature predators can hunt and reproduce but this capability is not found in the immature predators, the immature depend on their parents. The growth rate of prey decreases due to the existence of mature predators. The existence, uniqueness, and boundedness of the solution of the system are investigated. Three equilibrium points of the system are determined. The local stability of the system is studied. The global stabil
... Show MoreYeasts are distributed in all environments and have been reported as potential biocontrol agents against various phytopathogenic fungi. To investigate their enzymatic and biological activities, 32 yeasts were isolated from 15 date vinegar samples. Evaluation of the antagonistic activities of isolated yeasts against the plant pathogens Fusarium oxysporium, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Macrophomina phaseolina indicated that there are two yeasts had the highest inhibitory effect against plant pathogens, these yeasts identified as Kluyveromyces marxianus and Torulaspora delbrueckii using traditional and molecular methods. These yeast isolates were tested for fungal cell wall degrading enzymes (in vitro), and results indicated that the
... Show MoreThe wild populations of the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster Meigen from two regions in Baghdad , Saidiya and Tuwaitha were selected for this study to investigating the frequency of the dominant lethality , this parameter was investigated through fecundity and egg hatchability rate which considered as main indicator for the presence of mutation . The results showed that fecundity rate in Saidiya increased with time , so the lowest rate was 65.5 eggs per female in November and the highest was 87.4 eggs in May , the same results was observed for Tuwaitha except a significantly decrease in fecundity rate that was observed in May which was 42.7 eggs , as well as another significant differences between the two regions was observed in March
... Show MoreIn the present work, experimental tests was done to explain the effect of insulation and water level on the yield output. Linear basin, single slope solar still used to do this purpose. The test was done from May to August 2017 in Mosul City-Iraq (Latitude: Longitude: Elevation: 200 m, and South-East face). Experimental results showed that the yield output of the still increased by 20.785% and 19.864% in case of using thermal insulation at 4cm and 5cm respectively, also the yield output decrease by 15.134% as the water level increase from 4 to 5cm, with the presence of insulation and 14.147% without it. It has been conclude that the insulation and water level play important role in the process of passive
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