DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOTYPE COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR PREDICTING Rhopalosiphum maidis (FITCH) ABUNDANCE ON BARLEY IN EGYPT

The obtained data of seasonal abundance of the corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) (Homoptera: Aphididae) in relation to climatic factors, sowing dates, plant growth stage and fertilization rates were used to develop a prototype computer program to predict aphids abundance on barley at different planting dates in relation to plant growth stages. This prototype program is a first step towards developing an expert system for prediction of aphids on barley in Egypt.