INSECT PESTS OF SUGAR HONEY LEAF, Stevia rebaudiana BERTONI AND ASSOCIATED NATURAL ENEMIES IN EGYPT

The current study was carried out during 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 seasons at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station for surveying insect pests of Stevia plants and associated with natural enemies, monitoring population size of major insect pests and identify arthropods trapped in spider webs. Data indicated that 20 species of insect pests, belonging to 15 families and 9 orders. 17 species of hymenopterous belonging to ten families. 17 species of predatory insects belonging to 9 families and 6 orders. 16 spider species belonging to ten families (Order: Araneae). The greatest population size in three successive cuts were; Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), Thrips tabaci Lind. and Empoasca spp. webs of some spider families were examined to find out the arthropods trapped inside. It was found that these webs contained 93.48%insect pests and mites, 6.52% insect predators and parasitoids. This show that the spider webs captured mainly the harmful arthropods.