A primary survey of aphid species on almond and peach, and natural enemies of Brachycaudus amygdalinus in As-Sweida, Southern Syria

Syria is one of the biggest almond producer country in the world. Few arthropdes that live on almond are consider as pests. Aphids are one of the major pests their. In order to change the product to organic we should know more about the pests and their natural enemies in order to use better bio- and organic decisions. A field survey was done to aphids that attack Almond and Peach in Al-Arab mountain at As- Sweida governorate, between 2002 and 2006. Three species of aphids were considered as important pests on both trees. They are Brachycaudus amygdalinus and Brachycaudus helichrysi, which are aphids that feed on the young leaves causing stunted growth; and Pterochloroides persicae which is a species that attack the bark and excretes large quantities of honeydew. A survey of natural enemies of B. amygdalinus has been done in addition to study its population dynamics during the seasons of 2002, 2003 and 2004. 30 species of natural enemies were recorded includes 15 Coccinellidae, 4 of each Anthocoridae and Miridae, 3 of Syrphidae, one species of each of Chrysopidae and Chamaemyiidae, and one beetle, in addition to one parasitoid. Some Arachinids were also mentioned to prey on this aphid. Most numerous predator at the beginning of the season was Coccinella septempunctata followed later with Scymnus (Pullus) subvillosus and Hyppodamia variegate. Most numerous predatory bug was Orius horvathi