A Study on Infestation Factors of Cycas and Zamia Palms with Butterfly, and its Control in Egypt.

Background And Objective: Cycas revoluta and Zamia encephalartoides were commercially ornamental palms. Butterfly, Chilades pandava was an important pest of ornamental palms either cycas or zamia. Impact factors on C. pandava infestations on cycas and zamia palms were studied.

Materials And Method: Two field experiments were carried out during the period from 1st January-15th December, 2018 in a private palm nursery at Abu-Ghaleb village, Giza, Egypt to study the infestation of C. pandava on cycas and zamia palms and also, provided its control strategies.

Results: The infested percent of C. pandava was recorded the highest values at 1st week of May and September, 2018 with 63.89 % on cycas palms. Whereas, the high value of the infestation percent was 66.67% on zamia palms. A positive effect was reported with maximum and minimum temperatures but a negative effect was recorded with average RH% on C. pandava infestations. The increasing of the C. pandava infestations decreased these 2 plant enzymes, peroxidase and phenoloxidase. The average reduction percentages of the tested 9 pesticides against C. pandava infestations on cycas palms were markedly higher in case of sulfur 70% SC and fipronil 80% WG being 69.88 and 61.30% reductions than other treatments after 3 sequential applications throughout 3 months, respectively.

Conclusion: Chilades pandava infestation was higher on cycas palms than zamia palms. Sulfur and Fipronil were more efficacy pesticides against this pest.