The emerging problem in cereal crops in North-Eastern Tunisia: The cereal leaf beetles Oulema spp. (Coleoptera; Chrysomelidae; Criocerinae) dynamic populations and infestation rate

Abstract

Cereals are attacked by several pests which reduce their yield and cause important losses. The Cereal Leaf Beetles (CLB) are emerging pests on cereals responsible of considerable damages. Oulema spp. (Coleoptera; Chrysomelidae; Criocerinae) populations and their infestation rates were evaluated on barley culture. Obtained results showed that cereal leaf beetles colonized the two barley plots (P1 and P2) in the same way during the survey period unless P1 was attacked earlier than P2 due to the quick development of plants as a consequence of the suitable climate conditions and the soil structure. Highest infestation rates reached values about 72% and 70% for P1 and P2 respectively. Then, they tended to decrease approaching hot season. Cereal leaf beetles prefer a humid space with fresh vegetation without chemical applications.