(2026) .  61(1):39–47. 2026. 

The present work was initiated to study genetic differences by fingerprint technics and determine biological traits for the three Trichogramma populations inhabiting different Egyptian agroecosystems, including Abo Qurqas, Minia Governorate (Trichogramma M), Kharga, New Valley Government (Trichogramma NV), and Armant, Luxor Governorate (Trichogramma Lux). Molecular techniques, RAPD, and ISSR markers were used to distinguish the three Trichogramma populations. Results indicated that the three Trichogramma populations were separated into two clusters with individual RAPD and ISSR markers. Cluster I included TM and TLux groups, while Cluster II included only the TNV group. Biological studies included the effect of five host Sitotroga cerealella (SC) densities on three egg parasitoids, TM, TNV, and TLux populations. Biological criteria include percentages of parasitism, successive parasitized eggs, adult emerged from parasitized eggs, and female emerged parasitoids. Results indicated that the maximum female emerged parasitoids% was 56.12 ±15.27 in the TM group (F value= 4.49**). However, the minimum female emerged parasitoids% was 28.02 ±3.98 in the TLux group.
                So, the present study highlights the need to integrate morphogenetic and biological descriptions for rapid and accurate identification of Trichogramma species within diverse Egyptian agroecosystems, thereby promoting effective and sustainable pest control.

Spiders are a significant predatory group across many agricultural crop systems. In Egypt, pomegranate is one of the most considerable fruit crops. Unfortunately, pomegranate fruits are attacked by a range of insect pests. These pests reduce the quality and marketing of pomegranate fruits. So, the present study focuses on identifying true spiders inhabiting economically important pomegranate orchards at Assiut.The pitfall trap method was conducted for a survey of two years (during the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons) to determine the composition and abundance of spiders' species in pomegranate plants in the experimental farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, 31° 11' 21.4188'' E; “27° 10' 48.4824'' N”. The canonical corresponded analysis (CCA) is unimodal method to analyze the spiders' species community composition response to ecological factors. In total, 12 spider genera were identified from 11 families. Hogna ferox was the most dominant species which represented the highest number during the whole study period. The results of CCA in both growing seasons revealed that spiders' species community composition was mainly related to relative humidity, while wind velocity (W.V.MIN) had the slightest effect on the collected species.So, the main objective of this study is to discuss the functional response of environmental factors to the abundance of spiders' species as well as their effective role in integrated pest management (IPM) programs and achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) particularly biodiversity goal for pomegranate orchards.

The Mediterranean widow spider, or "Dolmak," Latrodectus tredecimguttatus (Rossi, 1790), family Theridiidae, is one of the medically significant spiders. Also, it is listed as a dangerous animal due to its extensive geographic range and its deadly or seriously problematic toxic bites. A holistic understanding of L. tredecimguttatus requires combining knowledge derived from both morphological and molecular investigations. Thus, this study aimed to offer researchers a framework for investigating these essential species and to educate farms and visitors about the importance of avoiding any behaviour that could antagonize the spiders. For this study, specimens of L. tredecimguttatus were manually collected randomly from some olive orchards between September 2023 and August 2024 at Sadat City, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. The morphological parameters utilized for identification were the total body length, carapace width, abdomen length, and (1st,3rd, and 4th legs) length. Results indicated that the total length of females ranged from 8.92 to 10.15mm. The female dorsal pattern if present; consists of several orange spots (usually in young females). Adult females lack the dorsal pattern and ventral hourglass reduced to two transverse oranges to red Markings. The results of the mitochondrial CO1 gene confirm that our tested species identified as Latrodectus tredecimguttatus under the accession number (PQ358290.1) in GenBank for the first time in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. So, the identification of a female Black Widow according to morphological and molecular genetic methods is of great importance.