Forensic entomology is considered the science that applies insect biology to criminal investigations, using insects and other arthropods to uncover the circumstances of criminal cases. Herein, we recorded the seasonal abundance of forensic insects encountered on rabbits’ cadavers during four seasons (2021-2022) in Egypt under Assiut conditions. As a result, numerous forensic insects were attracted to cadavers during the four seasons (2021-2022). Plus, ten adult insects were observed belonging to seven families under two orders, Coleoptera and Diptera. Four coleopteran insects belonging to 4 families were monitored, “i.e.” Carabidae (Harpalus rufipes), Histeridae (Saprinus blanchei), Staphylinidiae (Creophillus maxillosus), Dermestidae (Dermestes frischii). Six dipteran insects belonging to 3 families were determined, namely Calliphoridae (Calliphora vicine, Lucilia sericata, Chrysomya refifacies, and Chrysomya albiceps), Muscidae (Musca domestica), and Sarcophagidae (Sarcophaga carnaria).  Also, the taxon of order Diptera emerged early from day one immediately after death on cadavers followed by the taxon of order Coleoptera that popped up lately. This study sheds light on forensic entomology science which is considered very limited in Egypt. In addition, an investigation must be carried out to benefit from this study, which will help us to remove confusion in critical issues in the future.

larias gariepinus is one of the widespread culturable freshwater fish species in Africa, which is prevalent in various natural and human-made aquatic habitats including rice-fish system. This fish species displays predation potential on the aquatic stages of mosquitoes. Bensulfuron-methyl and quinclorac are herbicide active substances that have been extensively applied in rice culture in Egypt and other countries worldwide. This study assessed the adverse effects of sublethal concentration of a commercial herbicide formulation containing quinclorac and bensulfuron-methyl on the predation potential of C. gariepinus female and male predatory fish on Culex pipiens mosquito larvae. Also, stomach and intestine histopathology of the treated fish was investigated. The exposure of C. gariepinus to sublethal concentration of quinclorac and bensulfuron-methyl based herbicide produced detrimental effects on prey consumption and histopathological changes in the stomach and intestine of the fish. The mosquito consumption by the treated female and male fish decreased significantly compared to the untreated fish of both sexes. The histological changes in the intestines were hyperplasia of the intestinal epithelium and goblet cells; edema of lamina propria and broad intestinal villi, and distortion in intestinal villi in comparison to control. The stomach histopathology changes were necrosis and sloughing of mucosal epithelium with severe damage of sub-mucosa. Thus, the tested herbicide at sublethal concentration on C. gariepinus decreased the prey consumption on mosquito larvae and caused histopathological alterations in the fish that may impair its digestive physiology. These findings suggest a threat of the tested herbicide to C. gariepinus survival and potential as a native successful biocontrol agent against Cx. pipiens larvae.

The holo-parasitic weed Orobanche crenata Forrsk. is a threat to economically important legumes and vegetables in Mediterranean countries, including Egypt. The crenate broomrape attacks several wild and cultivated plant species, and documentation of new hosts of the parasite is always required. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report of parasitism of the crenate broomrape on two ornamental species, Arctotis fastuosa Jacq. and Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees. (Asteraceae). We also recorded for the first time its parasitism on the wild weeds (Ammi majus L., Lactuca serriola L., and Melilotus indicus (L.) All.) and the cultivated plant species (Carthamus tinctorius L. and Tropaeolum majus L.) from Egypt. The occurrence of O. crenata parasitism was confirmed by the attachment of its haustoria to the roots of host plants. The incidence of crenate broomrape disease was estimated for the seven species. The study also provides a morphological description of the polymorphic O. crenata on the samples from Egypt and determines the most useful characteristics for its easier identification in the field.

Acute toxicity experiments were conducted to determine the lethal concentration 50 (LC50) of the Up Grade®46% SL for Oreochromis niloticus. Our results showed that the 96-h LC50 value of UPGR for O. niloticus was 29.16 mg L-1. To study hemato-biochemical effects, fish were exposed for 15 days to individual UPGR at 2.916 mg L-1, individual polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) at 10 mg L-1, and to their combinations UPGR+PE-MPs. UPGR exposure induced significant decrease in account of red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs), platelets, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and the concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) than other treatments, compared to the control group. Sub-acute UPGR exposure significantly increase lymphocytes, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), compared to the control group. In conclusion, UPGR and PE-MPs displayed antagonistic toxic effects due to maybe the sorption of UPGR onto PE-MPs.

Callosobruchus maculatus is a common pest in legume fruits. Herein, this study was conducted to evaluate the toxic potential of certain chemicals against cowpea beetle using filter paper and dipping seeds bioassays. As a result, carbosulfan, a carbamate insecticide, was the most toxic, followed by indoxacarb and malathion. The LC50 values varied in both tested bioassays. In general, in filter paper contact and dipping seeds as
residual bioassay, all tested insecticides categories have the same toxicity ranking. Whilst neuro insecticides have the first ranks, the IGRs have the later ranks. These results suggest certain tested insecticide is more suitable in contact, while others are more effective in mixing with seeds such as thiamethoxam. While carbosulfan and malathion are good candidates as store or seed protectant agents. Also, the emamectin
benzoate and spinosad are promised ecofriendly agent as contact and residual effects as protectant against storage insect pest. Neuro insecticides were the highest toxicity among the tested insecticides, while IGRs have the lowest. Some insecticides are more suitable for contact, while others are more effective in mixing with seeds. Emamectin benzoate and spinosad are eco-friendly agents for contact and residual effects. 

Synergistic activity was detected in thiamethoxam, lemongrass oil, jojoba oil, and flaxseed oil.
 

The olive tree Olea europaea L. is attacked by numerous pests that affect yield quality and quantity. Oleander scales, Aspidiotus nerii Bouché (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) is considered one of the most important pests in
plantation and reclamation areas in Egypt. Herein, under olive field conditions, two seasons of study (2017-2018 and 2018-2019) were undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of some nano-insecticide formulations
of three neonicotinoid insecticides (acetamiprid, dinotefuran and thiamethoxam) in comparison with their conventional formulations against A. nerii. The foliar application of nanoformulations at the recommended rate
(1X) of acetamiprid induced the highest average reduction percentage of A. nerii (100%) and more efficacy than dinotefuran (83.28%) and thiamethoxam (82.73%). Whereas thiamethoxam as (½ X) caused a highest
average reduction percentage (100%) compared with acetamiprid (64.61%) and dinotefuran (82.50%). Plus, acetamiprid and thiamethoxam as (¼X) caused the highest average reduction percentage (80.07 and 85.72%)
compared with dinotefuran (73.07%). Results indicated that all of nano  formulations at (1X, ½X and ¼X) recommended rate were caused a high average reduction percentage compared with the conventional formulation (1X) which was (87.66, 81.11 and 60.88%) respectively. Furthermore, the efficacy and remaining effects of these nano formulations continued up to 21 days after treatment against A. nerii. The results of this study may strongly suggest the use of nano-neonicotinoid insecticide formulations in the application of the olive scale IPM pest program, but caution should be exercised with regard to the possible side effects of such formulations on other aspects of the environment.

ABSTRACT: Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is one of the most dangerous pests infesting the
potato crop in Egypt. Herein, five selected pesticides (Indoxacarb, sulfoxaflor, emamectin benzoate, th iamethoxam +
chlorantraniliprole, and Bacillus thuringiensis) were evaluated on 1st instar larvae of P. operculella under laboratory
conditions. As results, indoxacarb was the most potent pesticide through selected pesticides with LC50 value of 55.08
µg/ml after 24-h of exposure. After 72-h of treatment, emamectin benzoate was the most toxic pesticide among selected
pesticides with LC50 value of 22.96 µg/ml. Further investigations are required to set these selected pesticides within
integrated pest management (IPM) programs to control P. operculella in Egypt.
 

Background and Objective: The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is one of the most serious pests affecting potatoes, in fields and stores, in Egypt. In this study, the efficiency of a novel pesticide, sulfoxaflor 24% SC compared with two recommended pesticides, indoxacarb 30% WG and emamectin benzoate 5.7% WG, on Phthorimaea operculella under field conditions. 

Materials and Methods: The treatments were alone and combined of them at two applications, 15 days’ intervals, at their recommended rates according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation in Egypt against Phthorimaea operculella larvae, during the 2021 and 2022 summer seasons at the farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. The ANOVA was used to perform the analysis of variance and Henderson and Tilton’s equation was used to calculate the reduction percentage. Results: The foliage infestation
in all treatments achieved a robust reduction of Phthorimaea operculella population when the maximal values were reported with emamectin benzoate+sulfoxaflor and the mean of reduction percentage for two applications were 70.5 and 72.5% followed by emamectin benzoate+indoxacarb (64.5 and 67%), sulfoxaflor (51.17 and 64.17%), emamectin benzoate (46.5 and 53.5%) and indoxacarb (44.34 and 44.83%) for experiments at seasons 2021 and 2022, respectively. Conclusion: The use of sulfoxaflor and emamectin benzoate was the preferred pesticide with less harmful effects on the chewing pests of potato plants under field conditions in Egypt.
 

Cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera:
Chrysomelidae) is one of the most dangerous insect pests in field and storage. It
causes a high damage to the legumes by decreased dietary values, germination and
seed weights. Using synthetic insecticides for controlling stored grain pests have a
lot of problems for humans and environment. Therefore, the mixing seeds
laboratory experiments were conducted to study the efficacy of certain alternative
safety compounds against C. maculatus such as Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium
anisopliae, ascorbic acid, boric acid, talc powder and kaolin compared with an
organophosphorus nervous insecticide, malathion 1% dust, that recommended in
Egypt for controlling stored grain pests. The present results showed that the
malathion was the highest toxicity effect against cowpea beetle adults with
LC50(3.89 ppm) after 3-day post treatment. However, the boric acid was the lowest
toxicity effect with LC50 (72855 ppm) after 6 days post treatment. The other tested
materials showed moderate effects. These results indicate that malathion is still
having high effect against cowpea beetle. The toxicity of bio-insecticides (M.
anisopliae and B. bassiana) after 6days were more than toxicity malathion 1%dust
after 1day.Wheraes, the toxicity of bio-insecticides (M. anisopliae and B.
bassiana) increased with increase of period of exposure from 2 to 6 days high rates
about 28 times, 31 times, respectively. The findings showed that the tested
compounds have a promising insecticidal activity against C. maculatus and can be
used as possible alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides such as malathion
for the control of stored product insects.
 

Worldwide, the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, (R. padi) affects wheat, sorghum, and other grain crops, and conventional pesticides to control this aphid negatively affects the surrounding environment. Therefore, knowing the entomotoxicity of different chemical compounds against R. padi is an important step to control these pests. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the toxicity of different nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulators (thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and sulfoxaflor) and the octopamine receptor agonists’ (ORAs hereon) synergistic effect (chlordimeform and amitraz) on the selected pesticides’ toxicity against R. padi adults. We found that chlordimeform was more effective than amitraz (LC50: 144.01 and 238.33 μg/mL, respectively), after 24-h of exposure. Sulfoxaflor was the most toxic pesticide (LC50 values were 4.61 and 0.44 μg/mL), whereas we identified acetamiprid as the least potent one (LC50 values were 111.82 and 88.69 μg/ mL). Thiamethoxam was the most effective neonicotinoid pesticide among those we used. Chlordimeform and amitraz had synergized effects with the surveyed pesticides, with amitraz showing the highest synergistic ratio. These findings indicate that ORAs are promising tools to increase the selected pesticides’ effectiveness on R. padi control, which may contribute to the decrease in the use of generic pesticides, the emergence of resistant strains, and, consequently, their impacts on the environment.