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Eggs Distribution Behaviour of Dubas Bug (Ommatissus Lybicus: Homoptera: Tropiduchidae) in Relation to Seasons and Some Physico- Morphic Characters of Date Palm Leaves

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Abstract

Dubas bug, Ommatissus lybicus, is a major pest of date palm in Panjgur Balochistan. Both the nymphs and adults suck the sap from fruit stalk, leaves and may cause about 50 % of economic losses. Chlorophyll contents and leaf thickness was measured by using SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter and vernier caliper respectively. Eggs distribution density was highly significant in different frond rows and within frond during spring (1st) and summer (2nd) generations. In both generations number of eggs per leaflet decreased towards the apex fronds rows and within frond number of eggs decreased towards the terminal leaflets. Eggs distribution had negative correlation with leaf thickness; chlorophyll contents (SPAD value) and frond row (bottom to top). Apparently shade affect the eggs laying behaviour of dubas bug.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thanks Dr Ibrahim J. Al-Jboory, University of Baghdad, College of Agriculture, Plant Protection Department, Abu Ghraib, Baghdad, Iraq: Muhamamd Yasin (Lecturer, Deptt of Statistics University of Agriculture Faisalabad) and Inam Ul Haq (Department of Agric. Extension, Balochistan) for the provision of related literature, help conducting statistical analysis and review of this manuscript, respectively. The laborious work on eggs distribution in the field was made possible by the generous help of field staff of Agriculture Extension Department Balochistan, Panjgur.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Arif Shah, Ata Ul Mohsin & Muhammad Naeem

  2. Agriculture Research Institute, Sariab Road, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan

    Zahid Hafeez

  3. Department of Plant Pathology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Muhammad Irfan Ul Haq

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  1. Arif Shah
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  2. Ata Ul Mohsin
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  3. Zahid Hafeez
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  4. Muhammad Naeem
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  5. Muhammad Irfan Ul Haq
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Correspondence to Arif Shah.

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Shah, A., Mohsin, A.U., Hafeez, Z. et al. Eggs Distribution Behaviour of Dubas Bug (Ommatissus Lybicus: Homoptera: Tropiduchidae) in Relation to Seasons and Some Physico- Morphic Characters of Date Palm Leaves. J Insect Behav 26, 371–386 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-012-9354-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-012-9354-4

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