Structure of the natural enemies’ community composition to Thaumetopoea pityocampa and Thaumetopoea bonjeani (Lepidoptera Thaumetopoeidae) in the Algerian cedar forests

Abstract

Life cycles and composition of the natural enemies’ complex of two Lepidoptera species Thaumetopoea pityocampa and Thaumetopoea bonjeani were studied in Algerian cedar forests at the culmination period between 1987-1988 and 2011-2012 life cycles. Eggs, larvae and pupae were collected from different infested areas and placed in laboratory in ambient temperature for the emergence of adult parasitoids flies and parasitics species. Analysis of results showed that specific parasitoids have over than 15% of incidence for T. pityocampa control. While for T. bonjeani the egg parasitoid Ooencyrtus pityocampae is the main species having a high performance more than 15%. Under this study the natural enemies species moths were listed (16 parasitoids, 12 predators and 5 entomopathogenics species) and described their life cycles to develop IPM for control those insect pests.