Ecology and Evolution (2018) 8, 8297-8310

Khalifa M. Al-Kindi, Ali K. Al-Wahaibi, Paul Kwan, Nigel R. Andrew, Mitchell Welch, Mohammed Al-Oufi and Zakariya Al-Hinai (2018)
Predicting the potential geographical distribution of parasitic natural enemies of the Dubas bug (Ommatissus lybicus de Bergevin) using geographic information systems
Ecology and Evolution 8 (16), 8297-8310
Abstract: The Dubas bug (Ommatissus lybicus de Bergevin) is a pest species whose entire life cycle occurs on date palms, Phoenix dactylifera L, causing serious damage and reducing date palm growth and yield. Pseudoligosita babylonica Viggiani, Aprostocetus nr. Beatus, and Bocchus hyalinus Olmi are very important parasitic natural enemies of Ommatissus lybicus in northern Oman. In this study, random farms were selected to (a) model the link between occurrences of the Pseudoligosita babylonica, Aprostocetus nr beatus, and Bocchus hyalinus (dependent variables) with environmental, climatological, and Dubas bug infestation levels (the independent variables), and (b) produce distribution and predictive maps of these natural enemies in northern Oman. The multiple R² values showed the model explained 63%, 89%, and 94% of the presence of P. babylonica, A. nr beatus, and Bocchus hyalinus, respectively. However, the distribution of each species appears to be influenced by distinct and geographically associated climatological and environmental factors, as well as habitat characteristics. This study reveals that spatial analysis and modeling can be highly useful for studying the distribution, the presence or absence of Dubas bugs, and their natural enemies. It is anticipated to help contribute to the reduction in the extent and costs of aerial and ground insecticidal spraying needed in date palm plantations.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
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Database assignments for author(s): Ali K. Al-Wahaibi

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ommatissus lybicus	Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera)	Oman
Pseudoligosita babylonica (parasitoid)	Ommatissus lybicus	Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera)	Oman