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The toxic effects of some Ruta angustifolia extracts as a bio agent to control Spodoptera littoralis were investigated. Based on LC50 values, the acetonic extract was more effective than hexane and ethyl alcoholic ones. Ergosterol-propyl ester was isolated from the acetonic crud extract by thin layer chromatography and identified using Infra-Red spectrophotometer, Mass Spectrum and evaluated as a fraction for its larvicidal, biological, ultrastructure and biochemical effects on 4th instar S. littoralis larvae. The most prominent biological effects were presented as: prolongation in the total larval duration and a decrease in the percentages of survived larvae. The adult emergence percentages, longevity, fecundity, hatchability were significantly decreased compared to controls. Also, some deformation symptoms were recorded in larvae, pupae and adults. The ultrastructure alterations in S. littoralis 4th instar larvae were observed in cuticle microfilament in muscle myofilaments compared to control. Biochemical responses of the 4th instar S. littoralis larva has a decreas in the activities of both ALT and chitinase and elevation in AST of supernatant S. littoralis larvae compared to control.

Seven different sites were chosen in Ismailia Governorate representing areas of health and human activities that could be affected with the presence of insect vectors that assess their potential role in mechanical transmission of helminths and protozoa parasites of man. Four groups of insects were collected: Flies, cockroaches, beetles and ants. A total number of 8499 individual insects were collected during the period of study. The summer season was the most abundant season as the total insects count was 3679, autumn and spring came next to summer with 2787 and 1643 trapped insects, respectively. The lowest abundant season was winter in which only 390 insects were collected. The most important species with the highest abundance was Chrysomia putoria followed by Musca domestica with 1717 and 1707 individuals, respectively. Insects species diversity varied slightly among the months of the study period while it is noticed that insects species diversity varied greatly among the months of the study period.

The role of cockroaches in the mechanical transmission of human parasites in Ismailia Governorate was studied. A total 1135 cockroaches, belonging to two families and four species, were collected from seven different sites using sticky traps. The cockroaches were examined for the presence of parasites. The total number of parasites was six, The Helminths were: Ascaris sp., Trichuris sp., Hymenolepis sp., Entrobius sp, and Taenia sp. The protozoa was: Entamoeba histolitica. The total prevalence of parasites in body surface was 12.1%, in the gut was 13.2% and in whole insect was 13.5%. The highest prevalence was recorded at the summer in whole insect with 18.8% while the lowest prevalence was at the spring on the body surface with 3.5%. On the other hand, parasites were not recorded in winter. The highest prevalence was recorded with Periplaneta americana occurring in the whole insect with 15.6% while the lowest prevalence was recorded with Blattella germanica occurring on the body surface with 12.6%. On the other hand, parasites were not recorded with Blatta orientalis and Supella longipalpa. The prevalence of parasites recorded in cockroach’s sexes and stages. The highest prevalence was recorded with females occurring in the whole insect with 20%, followed with males occurring in the whole insect too with 10.3% and the lowest prevalence was recorded in nymphs with 3.2% in the gut. The present study further confirms that cockroaches play an important role as mechanical vectors of protozoan and helminth parasites. Hence, it is recommended that appropriate control measures must be taken particularly to make human dwellings as well as food preparation areas, including hospitals, hostels, schools and farms free of cockroaches.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of site and temperature on the percentage of leaves infested by the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and on the density of the spider mite and its predators on three crop species of economic importance. From February 2014 to January 2015, a survey was conducted on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) (plots situated at Abu-sawyer and Sarabium regions, Ismailia, Egypt) and moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) (plots situated on the east side of the Suez Canal and El Koraim regions, Ismailia, Egypt). Results showed that there were monthly variations on the percentage of infested leaves, and on the density of the adults of T. urticae and its predators. The significant highest density of T. urticae adults was recorded in April on cucumber and eggplant, and in December on moringa. The highest density of T. urticae was recorded in Sarabium region for cucumber and eggplant, and in El-Koraim region for moringa. Three predator species were detected on cucumber and eggplant: Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, Scolothrips longicornis Priesner and Stethorus gilvifrons Punctillum. No predator was recorded on moringa. The density of predators was affected by site and temperature. In conclusion, sites and monthly variations of the temperature apparently were key factors affecting spider mite and its predator’s population, and their effects were host plant dependent.

The present study aims to investigate the relationship between the occurrence of helminths infecting Clarias lazera and the seasonal variations. Moreover, the relationship between helminthes and host length and sex was studied. C. lazera fish were collected from Ismailia canal (Ismailia city) and examined for intestinal helminths. The total species recorded were three trematodes (Allocreadium sp, Astiotrema reniferum and Orientochreadium batrachoides); two cestodes (Monobothrioides sp and Polyenchobothrium clarias) and two nematodes (Procamallanus laeviconchus, Paracamallanus cyathopharynx). The highest prevalence of infection was observed in winter (72.5%), while the lowest was recorded in summer (52%). Prevalence of infection with intestinal helminthes was higher in males than in females. The medium-sized and large fish showed the highest prevalence and intensity of infection, while the small fish showed low infection rates. Further studies are recommended on C. lazera helminths taking in to consideration the effect of seasonal variations, length and sex of the fish on the prevalence and intensity of infection along Ismailia canal.

The acaricidal activity of some essential and fixed oils against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch were evaluated at 15 °C, 27 °C and 35 °C under laboratory conditions. The essential oils namely, rosemary (0.125%), garlic (0.5%), jojoba (0.25%) and the fixed vegetable oil (soyabean and sunflower oil (0.125%)) were tested in this study. The acaricidal activity was evaluated by studying the mortality, fecundity and fertility rates of the adult females at three different temperatures. Results showed that highest mortality rates among T. urticae were recorded for garlic oil followed by vegetable, jojoba and rosemary oils at 15 °C and for garlic, jojoba, rosemary and vegetable oils at 35 °C. Interestingly, no mortality rates were recorded for all the tested oils at 27 °C. At 15 °C, garlic oil caused a significant effect on both the fecundity and fertility rates as compared to the other oils. On the other hand, at 27 °C and 35 °C, most of the tested oils caused significant effects on the fec...

Mosquitoes play a major role in diseases transmission and distributions, such as filariasis and malaria. The understanding of environmental factors that affect their larval abundance is a key factor for their control. Thus this study aims at investigating mosquitoes' larval abundance in a region known to be endemic for malaria mosquitoes' related diseases in Sharkia Governorate. Measuring environmental factors were: pH, total dissolved solids “TDS”, turbidity, water and air temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed, water hyacinths, sun light, water flow, and width and depth of drains in relation with these environmental factors on larval abundance. Six mosquitoes species were recorded and identified in different locations from study sites of 9 drains: Abu Kbeer, Dyarb Negm and Al-Zakazik. Culex pipiens, Culex perexiguus, Culex antennatus, Culex pusillus, Culex sinaiticus and Ochlerotatus detritus were found to be dominant in these localities. Culex pipiens was the most dominant species (79.79%) in all localities. Results were shown and discussed in detail.

A comparison was made for studying the effect of some Essential oils: Rosemary, Garlic, Jojoba and Fixed/Vegetable oils on the important mite pest, Tetranychus urticae. The sublethal concentrations of Rosemary oil (0.125%), Garlic oil (0.5%), Jojoba oil (0.25%) and Vegetable oil (0.125%) were used. Biological tests were carried out for a susceptible laboratory two-spotted spider mites strain reared under controlled conditions of 27±2°C; 60% R.H. and 16L/8D photoperiod on Sweet Potato leaves. Results showed that Garlic oil caused the highest significant decrease in the number of deposited eggs as compared to the other tested oils. All the oils used have no effects on females mite fertility. Vegetable oil greatly affected the percentage of nymphs that reached adult stages followed by Jojoba oil then Garlic oil while Rosemary had no effects on nymph's developments. Results were tabulated, analyzed, discussed and prepared to be fit in any IPM program for combating these pest animals.

Certain effects of different spectral light colors were studied on some biological attributes of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae. Rearing of animals was carried out under conditions of 27±0.5°C; 60% R.H. and 16 L/8 D photoperiod on Sweet Potato leaves. Thus, 5 artificial light colors were applied under controlled laboratory conditions on these animals: blue, red, green, yellow and white Neon. After treatment, the highest number of deposited eggs/female was observed by using the blue color (14.9±0.5 eggs/female) while the lowest one was the yellow (3.1±0.2 eggs/female) compared to 9.9±0.4 eggs/female for the control group. On the other hand, diapause incidence was observed for the target females under conditions of 18±2°C; 60±2% R.H. and the light and dark periods were set at 8 L/16 D, respectively. Results showed that white Neon color caused the highest percentage of diapausing females (88.66±1.8%) followed by green color (78±3.5%), yellow (68.66±2%), the blue color with (54±2%), and finally none of them entered diapause under red color. Results were analyzed and discussed for the aforementioned important economic pest animals.

In this study certain activities of solitary wasp venoms collected from the Suez Canal area (Bembix oculata, Dielis collaris, and Scolia erythrocephala) were investigated. The effects of these venoms on different types of muscles were studied, and in addition, the chemical structures were studied by electrophoretic analysis. We found that the venoms affect different types of muscles (cardiac, skeletal, and smooth) in different ways. The effect of the venoms on heart muscle was rapid and led to bradycardia, an increase in R amplitude on ECG, and other cardiac disorders such as atrioventricular block. These effects were abolished by atropine, indicating they were mediated through the peripheral nervous system. All of the venoms we tested reversibly blocked the nicotinic receptors of toad skeletal muscle and the muscarinic receptors of smooth muscles. Through electrophoretic analysis, seven bands were detected in Dielis collaris venom, while five bands were detected in Bembix oculata venom.