Diversity of harmful and beneficial insects on faba bean, Vicia faba L. in Assiut Governorate, Northern Upper Egypt

Faba bean, Vicia faba, is one of the main popular legume crops in the world. Their seeds are rich sources of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins for human food and animal consumption. For these reasons, improving and increasing the cultivated area of faba beans are essentially needed to achieve self-sufficiency. Therefore, this study is focused on the diversity of harmful and beneficial insects on this crop in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt. The Survey of harmful and beneficial insects on faba bean crop registered 44 insect species (21 pests, 4 parasitoids, 11 predators, and 8 pollinators and visitors) belonging to 9 orders and 27 families. The most common pest species were green leafhopper, Empoasca decipiens (42.28%), followed by bean fly, Ophiomyia phaseoli (17.16%); American serpentine leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii (16.45%); sugar beet fly, Pegomya mixta (9.20%); campyloma bug, Campylomma sp. (7.61%); and bean seed fly, Delia sp. (3.17%). Besides, four native parasitoid species were recorded (Chelonus sp., Opius nitidulator, Dirhinus excavatus, and Trichogramma sp.). The most abundant and predominant predators’ species during the season were the eleven-spotted ladybird beetles, Coccinella undecimpunctata (44.27%) and Scymnusnubilus (35.5%). While, minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus (6.51%) and common green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (5.52%) were found in a moderate dominant. Moreover, honeybees, Apis mellifera were the main pollinators of this vital crop that was observed in high numbers through the growing season. Ultimately, this study will be essential for developing and improving the control technique of common insects in faba bean fields.