Phytomyza orobanchia Kalt.as a biological control agent of Orobanche crenata Forsk, in Alexansria, Egypt | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Phytomyza orobanchia Kalt.as a biological control agent of Orobanche crenata Forsk, in Alexansria, Egypt Esmat Mohamed Hussein Hegazi, Wedad Emam Khafagi, Safaa Moustafa Abd El-Rahman, and 6 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6483966/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 17 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control → Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background The parasitic weed, Orobanche crenata Forsk (Orobanchaceae) is a noxious root parasite which seriously damage the production of many crops, particularly in the Leguminosae such as faba bean Vicia faba . Significant yield losses in faba bean fields can be attributed to its parasitism. Results The occurrence of Phtomyza orobanchia Kalt fly in faba bean fields naturally infested by the parasitic weed Orobanche crenata Forsk, was studied in two locations namely Abies and Nubaria farms during three successive faba bean seasons, 2020–2023 during, February, March and April (cool to warm temperature). The fly population was generally low in the 3 seasons in February, but increase to its maximum in late March in the 1st season and April in the 2nd and 3rd seasons. In Nubaria farm most larvae and puparia of Ph.orobanchia fly were found in fruits capsules with significantly lower proportions in plant base and stem parts. The fly preferred to attack the middle and upper fruits than lower ones. In Abies farm most of Ph. orobanchia flies were significantly found in plant base followed by plant capsules and the lowest proportion was in the plant stem. The Broomrapes are very prolific, producing thousands of tiny ripe Seeds/ plant. Thirty flowering Broomrape shoots produce 1,320 seed capsules. In one capsule, 4721.49 ripe seeds had been counted and an average of 207,247minute seeds can be produced per plant. Conclusions Infestation with Phytomyza fly is efficient in reducing Orobanche seed yield so has a great effect in the reduction of Orobanche seed bank. The work suggested that Ph. orobanchia could be a promising biological control agent of Orobanche spp. in Egypt, especially if resistance faba bean cultivar was grown and repeated field mass release techniques could be adopted. Orobanche crenata Phytomyza orobanchia Vicia faba biological control Egypt Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Highlights • The parasitic weed, was found parasitizing faba bean crop in Alexandria. • Weekly variations of population dynamics of on spikes showed that, the fly population was generally low in the in February, but increase to its maximum in late March or April feeding only on weed. • Most larvae and puparia of fly were found in fruits capsules or plant base of the weed. • Infestation with is efficient in reducing seed yield and has a great effect in the reduction of seed bank. Background The parasitic weed species, Orobanche crenata Forsk (Orobanchaceae) is noxious root parasites which seriously constrain the production of many crops, including Leguminosae and Solanaceae families in Egypt (Parker & Riches 1993 ; Hegazi et al. 2024a ). Various control methods have been tested for broomrape control, but none has proved entirely satisfactory (Saghir 1979 ; Saghir et al. 1980 ; Linke & Saxena 1991 ). The production of a large number of seeds (30,000-200,000 per plant) (Schroeder 1994 ), which remain viable in the soil for several years, and the intimate physiological interaction with their host plants limits the application of conventional weed control measures for Orobanche control. Several records show that biological control of Orobanche has been successfully achieved in the field. The fly Phytomyza orobanchia Kalt (Diptera: Agromyzidae), occurs widely in Egypt, but it was too often killed by routine use of insecticides (Rezene Fessehaie & Parker 1992; Hegazi et al. 2024 b). It has been shown that this insect provided excellent control of Orobanche spp. in the former USSR (Klyueva & Pamukchi 1983 ; Horvath & Wittmann 1988 ), Turkey (Giray & Nemli 1983 ), Syria (Linke et al. 1990 ; Linke 1992 ) and in India (Manjunath & Nagurkatti 1977 ). Broomrape fly, Ph. orobanchia is oligophagous feeding only on Orobanche species. It feeds mainly on the immature seeds destroying between 11% and 90% of seeds (Sauerborn 1991 ). Also, it causes reduction in the length of shoots, number of capsules/ shoot. One larva can destroy all seeds in the small capsule of broompare, but the big capsule needs more than one larva for complete reduction of seeds. The natural capacity of Ph. orobanchia to reduce the Orobanche population is mainly limited by low temperatures, cultural practices (soil preparation, crop rotation, irrigation and the use of insecticides against crop pests) and natural enemies (micro- organisms, parasitoids and predators). The aim of the present study was to determine the efficiency of Ph . orobanchia as a biocontrol agent of O. crenata in faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) fields in Alexandria, Egypt. Methods The occurrence of Ph.orobanchia fly in faba bean fields naturally infested by the parasitic weed O.crenata , was studied in two locations namely Abies and Nubaria farms during three successive faba bean seasons, 2020–2023 ( February-April) .In both locations faba bean cultivar, Giza 843 was cultivated. The cultivar is known for its resistance to O. crenata infestation. The recommended agricultural practices for faba bean were applied. Notably, no fertilizers or chemical treatments were administered throughout the duration of the seasons. In each visit, thirty random samples per location and 3 reps. /Expt. were gently uprooted for investigation. Identification of Ph. orobanchia fly was carried out following Spencer ( 1973 ). All data of the present work was from broomrape plants at full flowering to early ripening stage. All O.crenata shoots. were collected randomly per Expt., with at least two meters between samples by walking diagonally across the fields and along the peripheries (Abbasher 1994 ). Natural incidence and infestation rates with agromyzid fly , Ph. orobanchia Variations of population dynamics of Ph. orobanchia during the three successive faba bean seasons (2020–2023) cultivated in Nubaria area 45 k west Alexandria were studied. Samples of O.crenata shoots at full flowering to early ripening stage were successively weekly collected from faba bean farms in the area and dissected. The number of flies in different parts of the spike (= capsules, stem and tubercle) was recorded weekly during February, March and April (cool to warm temperature). Density of Ph. orobanchia population on the parasitic weed was determined by counting larval and pupal stages following the dissection of the capsules and stems. Distribution pattern of Ph.orobanchia fly in O.crenata spikes In April of the first season, new samples of broomrapes were examined in faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) farms of two locations namely Abies and Nubaria where the fruit capsules, stems and plant base of parasitic weed were dissected and number of Ph.orobanchia flies in each was recoded. In Nubaria farm another set of parasitic weed of well-developed and almost of equal lengths were collected to study the effect fruit capsule level on infestation rate by Ph.orobanchia flies. All fruit capsules were detached from upper, middle and lower levels of the parasitic plant and checked for fly infestation, where percentage of insect infestation in fruits of each level was recorded. Orobanche seed yield and its reduction due to Ph. orobanchia parasitism Sets of well-developed Orobanchia spikes were collected from Nubaria faba bean farm in 2023 season to study the Orobanche seed yield and its reduction due to Ph. orobanchia parasitism. All capsules of the plant samples were separated and counted. Capsules were then air-dried. The fruit capsules were dissected and classified into healthy fruits containing no flies and other sets of fruits containing 1,2 and 3 or more fly pupae. /Capsule. The weight of seeds produced from healthy and Phytomyza infested capsules by one, two and three or more pupae/capsule were determined and used to calculate the Orobanche seed yield and its reduction due to Phytomyza fly. The ripe seeds in the fruits were then weighed on a microbalance of high accuracy (± 0.01 mg; Sartorius AG, Goettingen, Germany). Then weight and number of ripe seeds / healthy and infested fruits was recorded. Climate in the farms The daytime temperatures in February range from 17°C to 22°C (63°F to 72°F), while nighttime temperatures can drop to 8°C to 12°C (46°F to 54°F). Rainfall is generally minimal, though occasional temperatures typically range from 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F), while nighttime temperatures can showers can occur, particularly in Alexandria. The temperature in March gradually warm up. Daytime vary from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). remains relatively low, though occasional showers are possible, especially in coastal areas.In April, temperatures start to rise, with daytime highs ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). Nighttime temperatures are cooler, typically between 12°C and 18°C (54°F to 64°F). April is generally dry, with minimal rainfall across most sites. Statistical analysis Where appropriate, data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine differences between means. Some data were subjected statistically using T-test (p > 0.05). Data are presented as means of number ± SE. Results Occurrence of Ph. Orobanchia in faba bean fields The soil of faba bean farms was heavily infested with O. crenata . Some of the infested faba bean plants by O. crenata in locations near sites treated with insecticides were Ph. orobanchia free. Weekly variations of population dynamics of Ph. orobanchia on O. crenata spikes during three successive faba bean seasons (2020–2023) cultivated in Nubaria area 45 k west Alexandria are tabulated in Table 1 and illustrated in Fig. 1 . The data in Table (1) indicated that the mean number of Ph. orobanchia on O. crenata spikes in the 1st season (2020–2021) was low during the first week of February 6 (16.29 ± 1.17/ spike) reaching its significant peak ( F = 51.5, df = 7,16, P < 0. 05) on March 21 (42.16 ± 1.95/spike). On the 2nd and 3rd seasons the fly populations was generally lower than in the 1st season. The mean number of fly population was low in February 6 (6.56 ± o.96/spike) increased significantly ( F = 51.5, df = 7,16, P < 0. 05) in April 3 (17.7 ± 1.55/ spike), in the second season. In the 3rd season, the population was also low in February 15 (10.17 ± 0.12/spike), significantly increased ( F = 28.73, df = 7,16, P < 0. 05) in April 7 (26.78 ± 1.00/spike). Weekly occurrence of Ph. orobanchia flies on O. crenata spikes shows in Fig. 1 .The fly population was generally low in the 3 seasons in February, but increase to its maximum in late March in the 1st season and April 3 in the 2nd and April 7 in the 3rd seasons. Up to 42.2,17.7 and 26.8 larvae and pupae have been counted in one shoot of these dates, respectively. So, the population differed from year to year. Table 1 Ph. orobanchia fly population dynamics during three faba been seasons cultivated in Nubaria 45 Km far from Alexandria Sampling date Season 2020–2021 2021–2022 2022–2023 Total insect no./ Plant 6-Feb 16.29 e ± 1.17 6.56 d ± 0.96 13.7 c ± 0.23 15-Feb 16.29 e ± 1.17 6.56 d ± 0.96 10.17 d ± 0.00 22-Feb 21.08 d ± 1.53 8.75 d ± 1.65 13.52 c ± 0.13 9-Mar 28.25 c ± 2.46 11.33 c ± 0.6 14.81 c ± 0.55 16-Mar 35.21 b ± 1.27 13.73 b ± 0.7 15.64 c ± 0.60 21-Mar 42.16 a ± 1.95 16.12 a ± 0.8 18.15 b ± 0.93 3-Apr 19.68 d ± 0.92 17.7 a ± 1.55 17.26 c ± 4.19 7-Apr 19.68 d ± 0.48 8.61 d ± 0.42 26.78 a ± 1.00 When the letter per each column is the same, the data for separately season are not significantly different (P < 0.05) Distribution pattern of Ph. orobanchia fly in O.crenata spikes The eggs of Ph. orobanchia fly are deposited into fruit capsules or under the epidermis of the shoots. The larvae feed on the immature seeds and subepidermal tissue, sometimes penetrating into the shoots where they feed. Pupation takes place in the capsules but some in the stem or deeper in the hidden part of the stem base near the ground. In the 1st season (2020–2021), the distribution pattern of Ph. orobanchia fly in different parts of O.crenata spikes was studied at the same time (April) in the two locations of faba bean farms, namely Abies and Nubaria farms (Fig. 2 ). The results revealed that differences between the investigated fields were significant. The distance between the 2 farms was 45 km, however in Nubaria farm most larvae and puparia of Ph. orobanchia fly were found in fruits capsules with significantly lower proportions in plant base and stem parts ( F = 6703.96, df = 2,6, P < 0. 05). While in Abies farm most of Ph. orobanchia flies were significantly found in plant base followed by fruit capsules and the lowest proportion was in the plant stem ( F = 998.9, df = 2,6, P < 0. 05). In Nubaria farm, in 2020–2021 season, the fruit capsules of O.crenata spikes samples were divided into 3 levels, upper, middle and lower ones to study the influence of capsule level on fly infestation rate. Fruits of each part of plant spike were examined for the presence of Ph.orobanchia flies (Fig. 3 ).Infestation rates by the fly among these groups of fruits were significant ( F = 18.41, df = 2,6, P < 0. 05). It seems that the fly prefers to attack the middle and upper fruits than lower ones. C. Effect of parasitism by Ph. orobancia on Orobanche seed yield. As shown in Table 2 , two sizes of Orobanche fruit capsules were observed, small weighed 31.3 ± 2.97 mg and large ones weighed 94.9 ± 6.4 mg. The difference was significant ((t = 31.3, P < 0. 05). The ratio between the 2 sizes was almost 1:1. The average number of ripe seeds found/capsule was 2484.2 ± 341.8 and 6958.7 ± 493 of tiny seeds in small and large fruit capsules, respectively, The larvae of Ph..orobanchia mine the fruit capsules and feed on the immature seeds. Shrinkage and rottening of the fruit capsules suggest symptoms of fly infestation. Dissecting these fruits will show complete destruction of some or all seeds and accumulation of larval faeces. One seed capsule is generally sufficient for six larvae up to pupation. However, Ph. orobanchia fly infestation reduced O. crenata seeds by destroying 59.6, 91.36 and 100% of the seed capsules (Table 3 ) when the capsule attacked by 1,2, or 3 of Ph. orobanchia larvae, respectively. The weight of ripe seeds (size 0.3 × 0.2 mm) in the healthy capsule and those infested by 1,2 and 3 fly larvae was 24.85 ± 3., 8.85 ± 2.6,2.15 ± 0.9 and 0.0 mg, respectively. The difference was significant ( F = 1347.1, df = 3, 36, P < 0. 05). In Nubara, The flowering Broomrape shoot (n = 30 × 3 reps.) infesting faba bean cultivar (Giza 843) produce 1,320 seed capsules. In one healthy capsule 4721.49 ripe seeds had been counted and an average of 207, 247minute seeds per plant. Table 2 Weight (mg) and seed number in healthy air-dried capsule of O. crenata capsules Capsule Capsule Weight (mg) Ripe Seeds/ Capsule Weight (mg) Number Small Range 19.7–54.1 7.1–26.3 1347.5–4991.3 Mean 31.3 ± 2.97 13.9 ± 1.8 2484.2 ± 341.8 Large Range 61.7–130.1 23.6–50.7 4478.9–9622.1 Mean 94.9 ± 6.4 36.6 ± 2.6 6958.7 ± 493 Mean 63.1 ± 8.1 24.85 ± 3.1 4721.49 ± 590.48 Table 3 Effect Infestation level by Ph. Orobanchia fly larvae on reducing seed production in O. crenata capsules Insect no./ Capsule Capsule weight (mg) Ripe Seeds/ Capsules Seed reduction ⁒ weight (mg) No. None Range Average (± SE) 19.7–130.1 7.1–50.7 1347.5–9622.1 0.0 63.1 ± 8.1 24.85 ± 3.1a 4721.49 ± 590.5 1 Range Average (± SE) 7.9–54.4 0.0–35.6 0.0–6756.3 59.604 29.93 ± 4.6 8.85 ± 2.6b 1907.3 ± 669.08 2 Range Average (± SE) 11.1–44.3 0.0–6.6 0.0–1252.57 91.36 22.5 ± 3.5 2.15 ± 0.9 c 408.03 ± 171.6 3 or more Range 7.8–44.1 0.0–0.0 0.0–0.0 100 Average (± SE) 28.1 ± 3.7 0.0 ± 0.0d 0.0 For the weight of ripe seeds, when the letter per column is the same, the data for are not significantly different (P < 0.05) Discussion The occurrence of Ph. orobanchia in Egypt seems to be limited. The absence of Ph. orobanchia in some fields might be associated with the application of high rate of insecticides. This agrees with the observations of Parker & Riches ( 1993 ) and Schroeder ( 1994 ) who reported that the use of insecticides against crop pests can largely eliminate Ph. orobanchia . The fly population was generally low in the 3 seasons of the study in February, but increase to its maximum in late March in the 1st season and April in the 2nd and 3rd seasons. The eggs of Ph.. orobanchia fly are deposited into Orobanche shoots and significant number of fly larvae pupate in the fruit capsules. Up to 19–64 larvae and puparia have been counted in one sprout (n = 40 sprouts) in Yugoslavia (Mihajlović 1986 ). In Nubaria, Egypt, the number of larvae and puparia /plant ranged 6–42 fly. In Bulgaria, 100 flowering Broomrape sprouts produced 2,302 seed capsules, (Klein and Kroschel ,2002). In the present study, the flowering Broomrape shoots (n = 30 × 3 reps.) infesting faba bean cultivar (Giza 843) produce 1,320 seed capsules. In one capsule ,4721.49 ripe seeds had been counted and an average of 207,247minute seeds can be produced per plant. So the Broomrapes are very prolific, producing thousands of minute Seeds /plant that can be dispersed by field activities and wind. The fly effectively destroyed O. crenata capsules. The fly has been found to be efficient in reducing seed capsules of Orbanche pps. by 96% in Yugoslavia. The fly has shown effective destruction of O. ramosa and O. cernua seed capsules by 81.4% and 71.7%,respectively under natural conditions at Malima (Ethiopia), (Rezene & Parker ,1992;Elzein et al. 1999 ).In Hungary and former USSR reduction in seed production per capsule of O. cumana on sunflower of 60–85% caused by Ph. orobanchia . Sauerborn, 1991 reported that one fly larva can destroy all seeds in the small capsule of broompare, but the big capsule needs more than one larva for complete reduction of seeds. In the present work, three of Ph. orobanchia larvae/capsule were able to destroy all immature seeds. Similar results have been reported in USSR (Okazova ,1973; Girling et al. ( 1979 ). Hence, the reduction of Orobanche seed production by Phytomyza fly prevents supplementary infestation and dissemination. Infestation with Phytomyza is efficient in reducing Orobanche seed yield and may have a great effect in the reduction of Orobanche seed bank. In this study, 65.5% of the larvae and pupae were found in stems of O. crenata . Significant number of Ph. orobanchia pupae remained in dried seed capsules and in stem base of O. crenata in Nubaria and Abies farms, could be subjected to predatory arthropods including soil ants (Hegazi et al. 2024b ). Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate Not applicable. Consent for publication The manuscript has not been published in completely or in part elsewhere. Author Contribution E. M. H. H. conceived the idea, wrote the first draft of the manuscript and general supervision of the research group, and was a major contributor in writing the manuscript. W. E. K., S. M. A., S. F. A. S., M. A. A., M. A. H., A. M. S., M. A. E. and M. M. A. F. collected the data and participated in its design and coordination and aided to draft the manuscript. Acknowledgement E.M.H. thanks the Alexander-Von-Humboldt-Foundation for the research scientificdonation used in this work ,Prima project funded partially the work and Miss Esraa Mohamed for typing the article Availability of data and materials The data sets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. References Abbasher AA (1994) Microorganisms associated with Striga hermonthica and possibilities of their utilization as biological control agents. PL/TS 12:144 Elzein AEM, J Kroschel, A Admasu, M Fetene (1999) Preliminary evaluation of Phytomyza orobanchia (Diptera: Agromyzidae) as a controller of Orobanche spp. In Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Science 22(2): 271–282 Giray H, Nemli Y (1983) Investigations on the morphological characters, brief life history and effectiveness of the natural enemy of Orobanche, Phytomyza orobanchia Kalt. (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in Izmir Province. Turkiye Bitki Koruma Dergisi 7:183-192 Girling DJ, Greathead DJ, Mohyuddin AI, Sankaran T (1979) The potential for biological control in the suppression of parasitic weeds. Biocontrol News and information (Sample issue):7-16 Hegazi E, Khafagi WE, Abou Zeid A, Attia MA, Hasaneen M, Abu Shall A, Aly N, Abou Taleb HK, Abd El-Rahman S, Showiel SF, El Eryan MA, Farag MA, Mahmoud AK (2024b) Preliminary Evaluation of Diapause Intensity in Phytomyza orobanchia Kalt. (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in Faba Bean Vicia faba Fields in Alexandria, Egypt. Eur J Appl Sci 12(3). 207-214. Hegazi E, Abou Zeid A, Attia MA, Hasaneen M, Abu Shall A, El Eryan MA, Aly NM, Showiel SF, Abd El-Rahman S, Abou Taleb HK, Mahmoud AK, Khafagi WE, Farag MA (2024a) Effect of Intercropping by Flax, Radish and Fenugreek on Faba Bean, Vicia faba L., Production and Reduction of Orobanche crenata Forsk Seed Bank. Agric For Fish13(2):52-59 Horvath Z, Wittmann F (1988) Data on the hymenopterous parasitoids of the broomrape-miner (Phytomyza orobanchia Kalt). Novenyvedelem 24:245-249 Klyueva M, Pamukchi GV (1983) How to determine the technical effectiveness of Phytomyza. 'Zashchita Rastenii 6:41-42 Klein O, Kroschel J (2002) Biological control of Orobanche spp. With Phytomyza orobanchia, a review. Review Article. BioControl, 47: 245–277 Linke KH, Saxena MC (1991) Towards an integrated control of Oroba11- che spp. in some legume crops. In: Proceedings, Progress in Orobanche Research, pp. 248-256 (Wegmann, K. and Musselman, L.J., eds). Eberhard Karls-University, Tubingen, FRG. Linke KH (1992) Biology and control of Orobanche in legume crops. PL/TS 10:62 Linke KH, Vorlaender C, Saxena MC (1990) Occurrence and impact of Phytomyza orobanchia (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on Oroba11che cre11ata (Orobanchaceae) in Syria. Entomophaga 35:633-639 Manjunath TM, Nagurkatti S (1977) Natural enemies of Orobanche in India and possibilities of its biological control. Technical Bulletin of the Common Wealth Institute. Mihajlović L (1986) Results of investigation on Orobanche spp. entomofauna in Yugoslavia and the possibility of using insects for biological control. – Pp. 118-126. In: B org S. J. (ed.): Biology and Control of Orobanche . Proceedings of a Workshop in Wageningen, The Netherlands, 13-17 January 1986. – vii + 206 pp.; PUDOC, Wageningen Okazova AG ) 1973 ( ( Phytomyza in tobacco of the Krim). Zaþcita Rastenij (USSR) 18: 21–22. Parker C, Riches CR (1993) Parasitic Weeds of the World: Biology and Control. CAB International, UK, 332 pp. Rezene Fessehaie, Parker C (1992) Problems and control of parasitic weeds in Ethiopia. In: Proceedings, 2nd Ethiopia11 Weed Science Workshop, Addis Ababa, 1988, pp. 61-63. EWSC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Saghir AR (1979) Different chemicals and their potential for Orobanche control. In: Proceedings, 2nd /11temational Symposium 011 Parasitic Weeds, pp. 41-47. (Musselman, L.J. Worsham, A.D. and Eplee, R.E., eds). North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA. Saghir AR, Kurban M, Budayr B (1980) Studies on the control of Oroba11che in Lebanon. Trop Pest Manag 26:51-55 Sauerborn J (1991) Parasitic: Flowering Plams: Ecology a,u} Ma11agemem. Verlag Josef Margraf, Wiekersheim, FRG. 127 pp. Schroeder D (1994) Potential for Biological Control of Cuscuta spp. and Orobanche spp. In: Proceedings, Workshop: Oroba11cheaul Cuscuta Parasitic Weed Ma11agement in the Near East, Amman, Jordan, 1993, pp. 45-69. FAO plant production and protection report TCP/RAB 2252 Rome. Spencer KA (1973) Agromyzidae (Diptera) of economic importance. In: Series Entomologica, Vol. 9, 418 pp. (Schimitschek, E., ed.) the Hague, the Netherlands. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Graphicalabstract.png Graphical abstract Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 17 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 30 May, 2025 Reviews received at journal 29 May, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 26 May, 2025 Reviews received at journal 19 May, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 09 May, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 09 May, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 05 May, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 05 May, 2025 First submitted to journal 19 Apr, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6483966","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":455176846,"identity":"6ac77b49-8375-4c63-905f-b82143b0e142","order_by":0,"name":"Esmat Mohamed Hussein Hegazi","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA4ElEQVRIie3RMQrCMBSA4RQhXR5kfdLiGSKF6uZVlEKn1BOUIhQcdS14CY+giHVRXAO66A1EkYIgpjq5tBkF8w9JhvdBQggxmX4y+KwM3zu6+qSZEWukCGgTwuWbkHrC2G55usWJ6x3SzVnGXSD2aj2vIs1sGHhuTsE/5oNU5OpiEIayinAJvoMUwJeinQqqCKpzFentt50HPhG8rCRPDcKJ8K3LmANHRaKxBkEpPMea9AFlOJhFEwRa9xY23bYvxT3psSxYXMU9aTF7lVeSssbXX9C68TKr0JkymUym/+0Fre5Bkgd+FM4AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Alexandria University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Esmat","middleName":"Mohamed Hussein","lastName":"Hegazi","suffix":""},{"id":455176847,"identity":"69e0a38a-156d-4b71-9351-0648c7159396","order_by":1,"name":"Wedad Emam Khafagi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Agricultural Research Center","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Wedad","middleName":"Emam","lastName":"Khafagi","suffix":""},{"id":455176848,"identity":"5b839f71-9cef-4f07-93a6-51a92b6886ae","order_by":2,"name":"Safaa Moustafa Abd El-Rahman","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Safaa","middleName":"Moustafa Abd","lastName":"El-Rahman","suffix":""},{"id":455176849,"identity":"5127c4cc-7242-484b-8d52-6ae049f85913","order_by":3,"name":"Sania Fateh Allah Showiel","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Agricultural Research Center","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sania","middleName":"Fateh Allah","lastName":"Showiel","suffix":""},{"id":455176850,"identity":"2b92c2aa-7a3e-419b-b782-ca8a5a94db87","order_by":4,"name":"Manal Ahmed Attia","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Manal","middleName":"Ahmed","lastName":"Attia","suffix":""},{"id":455176851,"identity":"648b771f-a0ad-48c8-a283-20b068e18713","order_by":5,"name":"Mervat Abo Elhamed Hasaneen","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Agricultural Research Center","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mervat","middleName":"Abo Elhamed","lastName":"Hasaneen","suffix":""},{"id":455176852,"identity":"2739c9fa-8441-4d41-892a-220fa0578d1d","order_by":6,"name":"Amany Mostafa Abu Shal","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Alexandria University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Amany","middleName":"Mostafa Abu","lastName":"Shal","suffix":""},{"id":455176853,"identity":"f51e8a8d-641e-4f31-b9d1-4a2a3f98a1d1","order_by":7,"name":"Mohamed Awad El Eryan","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Alexandria University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mohamed","middleName":"Awad El","lastName":"Eryan","suffix":""},{"id":455176854,"identity":"55895c89-312e-480e-8732-6e2f6dc4f4fd","order_by":8,"name":"Marwa M A Farag","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Cairo University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Marwa","middleName":"M A","lastName":"Farag","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-04-19 09:53:19","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6483966/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6483966/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-025-00869-w","type":"published","date":"2026-03-17T15:58:25+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":82645553,"identity":"5281df18-874d-4f2c-966a-aba0ed4016ff","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-13 15:57:19","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":44429,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e fly population dynamics during three faba been seasons cultivated in Nubaria ,45 Km far from Alexandria\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6483966/v1/4e12872bb440f36a4874dc39.jpg"},{"id":82645554,"identity":"517d6dda-0216-4d66-af68-8e511a05bd7a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-13 15:57:19","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":38160,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eDistribution pattern \u003cem\u003eof Ph. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e on different parts of infested \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e, in 2020- 2021 season (Abies, Alexandria, and Nubaria farms). For each farm, bars with the same letter are not significantly different (P˂0.05)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6483966/v1/35ee339723716d67641599b8.jpg"},{"id":82645555,"identity":"a37f8a50-fb8a-400c-b0cc-392b04e73bbc","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-13 15:57:19","extension":"jpg","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":34322,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eInfluence of capsule level on infestation rate by \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e (2020-2021 season) in Nubaria farm. Bars with the same letter are not significantly different (P˂0.05)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6483966/v1/fb50c86233196f4bbb9493f7.jpg"},{"id":105223968,"identity":"7cf4a48b-f27f-4106-ad9d-1350415ff45b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-23 16:11:46","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1038742,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6483966/v1/312c88d5-7163-4459-bffd-fb75172ab794.pdf"},{"id":82645558,"identity":"eb65d71d-e961-48f0-962a-e389082fbd30","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-13 15:57:20","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":12884823,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGraphical abstract\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Graphicalabstract.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6483966/v1/ffb3a954c4eda8424d628580.png"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Phytomyza orobanchia Kalt.as a biological control agent of Orobanche crenata Forsk, in Alexansria, Egypt","fulltext":[{"header":"Highlights","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; The parasitic weed, was found parasitizing faba bean crop in Alexandria.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Weekly variations of population dynamics of on spikes showed that, the fly population was generally low in the in February, but increase to its maximum in late March or April feeding only on weed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Most larvae and puparia of fly were found in fruits capsules or plant base of the weed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Infestation with is efficient in reducing seed yield and has a great effect in the reduction of seed bank.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Background","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe parasitic weed species, \u003cem\u003eOrobanche crenata\u003c/em\u003e Forsk (Orobanchaceae) is noxious root parasites which seriously constrain the production of many crops, including Leguminosae and Solanaceae families in Egypt (Parker \u0026amp; Riches \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1993\u003c/span\u003e; Hegazi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024a\u003c/span\u003e). Various control methods have been tested for broomrape control, but none has proved entirely satisfactory (Saghir \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1979\u003c/span\u003e; Saghir et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1980\u003c/span\u003e; Linke \u0026amp; Saxena \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e). The production of a large number of seeds (30,000-200,000 per plant) (Schroeder \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1994\u003c/span\u003e), which remain viable in the soil for several years, and the intimate physiological interaction with their host plants limits the application of conventional weed control measures for \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e control.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeveral records show that biological control of \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e has been successfully achieved in the field. The fly \u003cem\u003ePhytomyza orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e Kalt (Diptera: Agromyzidae), occurs widely in Egypt, but it was too often killed by routine use of insecticides (Rezene Fessehaie \u0026amp; Parker 1992; Hegazi et al. 2024 b).\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt has been shown that this insect provided excellent control of \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e spp. in the former USSR (Klyueva \u0026amp; Pamukchi \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1983\u003c/span\u003e; Horvath \u0026amp; Wittmann \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1988\u003c/span\u003e), Turkey (Giray \u0026amp; Nemli \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1983\u003c/span\u003e), Syria (Linke et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1990\u003c/span\u003e; Linke \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1992\u003c/span\u003e) and in India (Manjunath \u0026amp; Nagurkatti \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1977\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBroomrape fly, \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e is oligophagous feeding only on \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e species. It feeds mainly on the immature seeds destroying between 11% and 90% of seeds (Sauerborn \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e). Also, it causes reduction in the length of shoots, number of capsules/ shoot. One larva can destroy all seeds in the small capsule of broompare, but the big capsule needs more than one larva for complete reduction of seeds. The natural capacity of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e to reduce the \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e population is mainly limited by low temperatures, cultural practices (soil preparation, crop rotation, irrigation and the use of insecticides against crop pests) and natural enemies (micro- organisms, parasitoids and predators). The aim of the present study was to determine the efficiency of \u003cem\u003ePh\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eorobanchia\u003c/em\u003e as a biocontrol agent of \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e in faba bean (\u003cem\u003eVicia faba\u003c/em\u003e L.) fields in Alexandria, Egypt.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe occurrence of \u003cem\u003ePh.orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e fly in faba bean fields naturally infested by the parasitic weed \u003cem\u003eO.crenata\u003c/em\u003e, was studied in two locations namely Abies and Nubaria farms during three successive faba bean seasons, 2020\u0026ndash;2023 ( February-April) .In both locations faba bean cultivar, Giza 843 was cultivated. The cultivar is known for its resistance to \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e infestation. The recommended agricultural practices for faba bean were applied. Notably, no fertilizers or chemical treatments were administered throughout the duration of the seasons. In each visit, thirty random samples per location and 3 reps. /Expt. were gently uprooted for investigation. Identification of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e fly was carried out following Spencer (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1973\u003c/span\u003e). All data of the present work was from broomrape plants at full flowering to early ripening stage. All \u003cem\u003eO.crenata\u003c/em\u003e shoots. were collected randomly per Expt., with at least two meters between samples by walking diagonally across the fields and along the peripheries (Abbasher \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1994\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eNatural incidence and infestation rates with agromyzid fly\u003c/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariations of population dynamics of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e during the three successive faba bean seasons (2020\u0026ndash;2023) cultivated in Nubaria area 45 k west Alexandria were studied. Samples of \u003cem\u003eO.crenata\u003c/em\u003e shoots at full flowering to early ripening stage were successively weekly collected from faba bean farms in the area and dissected. The number of flies in different parts of the spike (=\u0026thinsp;capsules, stem and tubercle) was recorded weekly during February, March and April (cool to warm temperature). Density of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e population on the parasitic weed was determined by counting larval and pupal stages following the dissection of the capsules and stems.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eDistribution pattern of\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ePh.orobanchia\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003efly in\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eO.crenata\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003espikes\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn April of the first season, new samples of broomrapes were examined in faba bean (\u003cem\u003eVicia faba\u003c/em\u003e L.) farms of two locations namely Abies and Nubaria where the fruit capsules, stems and plant base of parasitic weed were dissected and number of \u003cem\u003ePh.orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e flies in each was recoded.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Nubaria farm another set of parasitic weed of well-developed and almost of equal lengths were collected to study the effect fruit capsule level on infestation rate by \u003cem\u003ePh.orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e flies. All fruit capsules were detached from upper, middle and lower levels of the parasitic plant and checked for fly infestation, where percentage of insect infestation in fruits of each level was recorded.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eOrobanche\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eseed yield and its reduction due to\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eparasitism\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSets of well-developed Orobanchia spikes were collected from Nubaria faba bean farm in 2023 season to study the \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e seed yield and its reduction due to \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e parasitism. All capsules of the plant samples were separated and counted. Capsules were then air-dried. The fruit capsules were dissected and classified into healthy fruits containing no flies and other sets of fruits containing 1,2 and 3 or more fly pupae. /Capsule. The weight of seeds produced from healthy and \u003cem\u003ePhytomyza\u003c/em\u003e infested capsules by one, two and three or more pupae/capsule were determined and used to calculate the \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e seed yield and its reduction due to \u003cem\u003ePhytomyza\u003c/em\u003e fly. The ripe seeds in the fruits were then weighed on a microbalance of high accuracy (\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01 mg; Sartorius AG, Goettingen, Germany). Then weight and number of ripe seeds / healthy and infested fruits was recorded.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eClimate in the farms\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe daytime temperatures in February range from 17\u0026deg;C to 22\u0026deg;C (63\u0026deg;F to 72\u0026deg;F), while nighttime temperatures can drop to 8\u0026deg;C to 12\u0026deg;C (46\u0026deg;F to 54\u0026deg;F). Rainfall is generally minimal, though occasional temperatures typically range from 18\u0026deg;C to 25\u0026deg;C (64\u0026deg;F to 77\u0026deg;F), while nighttime temperatures can showers can occur, particularly in Alexandria. The temperature in March gradually warm up. Daytime vary from 10\u0026deg;C to 15\u0026deg;C (50\u0026deg;F to 59\u0026deg;F). remains relatively low, though occasional showers are possible, especially in coastal areas.In April, temperatures start to rise, with daytime highs ranging from 20\u0026deg;C to 30\u0026deg;C (68\u0026deg;F to 86\u0026deg;F). Nighttime temperatures are cooler, typically between 12\u0026deg;C and 18\u0026deg;C (54\u0026deg;F to 64\u0026deg;F). April is generally dry, with minimal rainfall across most sites.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere appropriate, data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine differences between means. Some data were subjected statistically using T-test (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Data are presented as means of number\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SE.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eOccurrence of\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ePh. Orobanchia\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ein faba bean fields\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe soil of faba bean farms was heavily infested with \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e. Some of the infested faba bean plants by \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e in locations near sites treated with insecticides were \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e free. Weekly variations of population dynamics of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e on \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e spikes during three successive faba bean seasons (2020\u0026ndash;2023) cultivated in Nubaria area 45 k west Alexandria are tabulated in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e and illustrated in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. The data in Table\u0026nbsp;(1) indicated that the mean number of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e on \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e spikes in the 1st season (2020\u0026ndash;2021) was low during the first week of February 6 (16.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.17/ spike) reaching its significant peak (\u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;51.5, df\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;7,16, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0. 05) on March 21 (42.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.95/spike). On the 2nd and 3rd seasons the fly populations was generally lower than in the 1st season. The mean number of fly population was low in February 6 (6.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;o.96/spike) increased significantly (\u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;51.5, df\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;7,16, \u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;0. 05) in April 3 (17.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.55/ spike), in the second season. In the 3rd season, the population was also low in February 15 (10.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12/spike), significantly increased (\u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;28.73, df\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;7,16, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0. 05) in April 7 (26.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.00/spike). Weekly occurrence of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e flies on \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e spikes shows in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e.The fly population was generally low in the 3 seasons in February, but increase to its maximum in late March in the 1st season and April 3 in the 2nd and April 7 in the 3rd seasons. Up to 42.2,17.7 and 26.8 larvae and pupae have been counted in one shoot of these dates, respectively. So, the population differed from year to year.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e fly population dynamics during three faba been seasons cultivated in Nubaria 45 Km far from Alexandria\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSampling date\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeason\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2020\u0026ndash;2021\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2021\u0026ndash;2022\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2022\u0026ndash;2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal insect no./ Plant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6-Feb\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.29\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ee\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.56\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ed\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.7\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ec\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15-Feb\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.29\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ee\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.56\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ed\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.17\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ed\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22-Feb\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.08\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ed\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.75\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ed\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.52\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ec\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9-Mar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.25\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ec\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.33\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ec\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.81\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ec\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16-Mar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.21\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003eb\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.73\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003eb\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.64\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ec\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21-Mar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.16\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ea\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.12\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ea\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.15\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003eb\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3-Apr\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.68\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ed\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.7\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ea\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.26\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ec\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7-Apr\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.68 \u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ed\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u0026plusmn; 0.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.61\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ed\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.78\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003ea\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhen the letter per each column is the same, the data for separately season are not significantly different (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eDistribution pattern of\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003efly in\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eO.crenata\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003espikes\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe eggs of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e fly are deposited into fruit capsules or under the epidermis of the shoots. The larvae feed on the immature seeds and subepidermal tissue, sometimes penetrating into the shoots where they feed. Pupation takes place in the capsules but some in the stem or deeper in the hidden part of the stem base near the ground. In the 1st season (2020\u0026ndash;2021), the distribution pattern of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e fly in different parts of \u003cem\u003eO.crenata\u003c/em\u003e spikes was studied at the same time (April) in the two locations of faba bean farms, namely Abies and Nubaria farms (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The results revealed that differences between the investigated fields were significant. The distance between the 2 farms was 45 km, however in Nubaria farm most larvae and puparia of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e fly were found in fruits capsules with significantly lower proportions in plant base and stem parts (\u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;6703.96, df\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2,6, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0. 05). While in Abies farm most of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e flies were significantly found in plant base followed by fruit capsules and the lowest proportion was in the plant stem (\u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;998.9, df\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2,6, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0. 05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Nubaria farm, in 2020\u0026ndash;2021 season, the fruit capsules of \u003cem\u003eO.crenata\u003c/em\u003e spikes samples were divided into 3 levels, upper, middle and lower ones to study the influence of capsule level on fly infestation rate. Fruits of each part of plant spike were examined for the presence of \u003cem\u003ePh.orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e flies (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).Infestation rates by the fly among these groups of fruits were significant (\u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18.41, df\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2,6, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0. 05). It seems that the fly prefers to attack the middle and upper fruits than lower ones.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eC. Effect of parasitism by\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ePh. orobancia\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eon\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eOrobanche\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eseed yield.\u003c/b\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, two sizes of \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e fruit capsules were observed, small weighed 31.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.97 mg and large ones weighed 94.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.4 mg. The difference was significant ((t\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;31.3, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0. 05). The ratio between the 2 sizes was almost 1:1. The average number of ripe seeds found/capsule was 2484.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;341.8 and 6958.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;493 of tiny seeds in small and large fruit capsules, respectively, The larvae of \u003cem\u003ePh..orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e mine the fruit capsules and feed on the immature seeds. Shrinkage and rottening of the fruit capsules suggest symptoms of fly infestation. Dissecting these fruits will show complete destruction of some or all seeds and accumulation of larval faeces. One seed capsule is generally sufficient for six larvae up to pupation. However, \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e fly infestation reduced \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e seeds by destroying 59.6, 91.36 and 100% of the seed capsules (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e) when the capsule attacked by 1,2, or 3 of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e larvae, respectively. The weight of ripe seeds (size 0.3 \u0026times; 0.2 mm) in the healthy capsule and those infested by 1,2 and 3 fly larvae was 24.85\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3., 8.85\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.6,2.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.9 and 0.0 mg, respectively. The difference was significant (\u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1347.1, df\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;3, 36, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0. 05). In Nubara, The flowering Broomrape shoot (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30 \u0026times; 3 reps.) infesting faba bean cultivar (Giza 843) produce 1,320 seed capsules. In one healthy capsule 4721.49 ripe seeds had been counted and an average of 207, 247minute seeds per plant.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeight (mg) and seed number in healthy air-dried capsule of \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e capsules\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" morerows=\"1\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCapsule\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCapsule Weight (mg)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRipe Seeds/ Capsule\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeight (mg)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNumber\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSmall\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRange\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.7\u0026ndash;54.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.1\u0026ndash;26.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1347.5\u0026ndash;4991.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMean\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2484.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;341.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLarge\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRange\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.7\u0026ndash;130.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.6\u0026ndash;50.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4478.9\u0026ndash;9622.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMean\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6958.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;493\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMean\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.85\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4721.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;590.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect Infestation level by \u003cem\u003ePh. Orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e fly larvae on reducing seed production in \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e capsules\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" morerows=\"1\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInsect no./ Capsule\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCapsule weight (mg)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRipe Seeds/ Capsules\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeed reduction ⁒\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eweight (mg)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNone\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRange\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAverage (\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SE)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.7\u0026ndash;130.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.1\u0026ndash;50.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1347.5\u0026ndash;9622.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.85\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.1a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4721.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;590.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRange\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAverage (\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SE)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.9\u0026ndash;54.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0\u0026ndash;35.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0\u0026ndash;6756.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.604\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.85\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.6b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1907.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;669.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRange\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAverage (\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SE)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.1\u0026ndash;44.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0\u0026ndash;6.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0\u0026ndash;1252.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.9 c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e408.03\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;171.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3 or more\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRange\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.8\u0026ndash;44.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0\u0026ndash;0.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0\u0026ndash;0.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAverage (\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SE)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor the weight of ripe seeds, when the letter per column is the same, the data for are not significantly different (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe occurrence of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e in Egypt seems to be limited. The absence of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e in some fields might be associated with the application of high rate of insecticides. This agrees with the observations of Parker \u0026amp; Riches (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1993\u003c/span\u003e) and Schroeder (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1994\u003c/span\u003e) who reported that the use of insecticides against crop pests can largely eliminate \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e. The fly population was generally low in the 3 seasons of the study in February, but increase to its maximum in late March in the 1st season and April in the 2nd and 3rd seasons. The eggs of \u003cem\u003ePh.. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e fly are deposited into \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e shoots and significant number of fly larvae pupate in the fruit capsules. Up to 19\u0026ndash;64 larvae and puparia have been counted in one sprout (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;40 sprouts) in Yugoslavia (Mihajlović \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1986\u003c/span\u003e). In Nubaria, Egypt, the number of larvae and puparia /plant ranged 6\u0026ndash;42 fly. In Bulgaria, 100 flowering Broomrape sprouts produced 2,302 seed capsules, (Klein and Kroschel ,2002). In the present study, the flowering Broomrape shoots (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30 \u0026times; 3 reps.) infesting faba bean cultivar (Giza 843) produce 1,320 seed capsules. In one capsule ,4721.49 ripe seeds had been counted and an average of 207,247minute seeds can be produced per plant. So the Broomrapes are very prolific, producing thousands of minute Seeds /plant that can be dispersed by field activities and wind. The fly effectively destroyed \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e capsules. The fly has been found to be efficient in reducing seed capsules of \u003cem\u003eOrbanche\u003c/em\u003e pps. by 96% in Yugoslavia. The fly has shown effective destruction of \u003cem\u003eO. ramosa\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eO. cernua\u003c/em\u003e seed capsules by 81.4% and 71.7%,respectively under natural conditions at Malima (Ethiopia), (Rezene \u0026amp; Parker ,1992;Elzein et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1999\u003c/span\u003e).In Hungary and former USSR reduction in seed production per capsule of \u003cem\u003eO. cumana\u003c/em\u003e on sunflower of 60\u0026ndash;85% caused by \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e. Sauerborn, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e reported that one fly larva can destroy all seeds in the small capsule of broompare, but the big capsule needs more than one larva for complete reduction of seeds. In the present work, three of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e larvae/capsule were able to destroy all immature seeds. Similar results have been reported in USSR (Okazova ,1973; Girling et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1979\u003c/span\u003e). Hence, the reduction of Orobanche seed production by \u003cem\u003ePhytomyza\u003c/em\u003e fly prevents supplementary infestation and dissemination. Infestation with \u003cem\u003ePhytomyza\u003c/em\u003e is efficient in reducing \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e seed yield and may have a great effect in the reduction of Orobanche seed bank. In this study, 65.5% of the larvae and pupae were found in stems of \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e. Significant number of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e pupae remained in dried seed capsules and in stem base of \u003cem\u003eO. crenata\u003c/em\u003e in Nubaria and Abies farms, could be subjected to predatory arthropods including soil ants (Hegazi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024b\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe manuscript has not been published in completely or in part elsewhere.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eE. M. H. H. conceived the idea, wrote the first draft of the manuscript and general supervision of the research group, and was a major contributor in writing the manuscript. W. E. K., S. M. A., S. F. A. S., M. A. A., M. A. H., A. M. S., M. A. E. and M. M. A. F. collected the data and participated in its design and coordination and aided to draft the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eE.M.H. thanks the Alexander-Von-Humboldt-Foundation for the research scientificdonation used in this work ,Prima project funded partially the work and Miss Esraa Mohamed for typing the article\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe data sets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbbasher AA (1994) Microorganisms associated with \u003cem\u003eStriga hermonthica \u003c/em\u003eand possibilities of their utilization as biological control agents. \u003cem\u003ePL/TS \u003c/em\u003e12:144\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eElzein AEM, J Kroschel, A Admasu, M Fetene (1999) Preliminary evaluation of\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhytomyza\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003eorobanchia\u003c/em\u003e (Diptera: Agromyzidae) as a controller of \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e spp. In Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Science 22(2): 271\u0026ndash;282\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGiray H, Nemli Y (1983) Investigations on the morphological characters, brief life history and effectiveness of the natural enemy of \u003cem\u003eOrobanche, Phytomyza orobanchia \u003c/em\u003eKalt. (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in Izmir Province. \u003cem\u003eTurkiye Bitki Koruma Dergisi \u003c/em\u003e7:183-192\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGirling DJ, Greathead DJ, Mohyuddin AI, Sankaran T (1979) The potential for biological control in the suppression of parasitic weeds. \u003cem\u003eBiocontrol News and information \u003c/em\u003e(Sample issue):7-16\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHegazi E, Khafagi WE, Abou Zeid A, Attia MA, Hasaneen M, Abu Shall A, Aly N, Abou Taleb HK, Abd El-Rahman S, Showiel SF, El Eryan MA, Farag MA, Mahmoud AK (2024b) Preliminary Evaluation of Diapause Intensity in \u003cem\u003ePhytomyza orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e Kalt. (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in Faba Bean Vicia faba Fields in Alexandria, Egypt. Eur J Appl Sci 12(3). 207-214.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHegazi E, Abou Zeid A, Attia MA, Hasaneen M, Abu Shall A, El Eryan MA, Aly NM, Showiel SF, Abd El-Rahman S, Abou Taleb HK, Mahmoud AK, Khafagi WE, Farag MA (2024a) Effect of Intercropping by Flax, Radish and Fenugreek on Faba Bean, Vicia faba L., Production and Reduction of \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003ecrenata \u003c/em\u003eForsk Seed Bank. Agric For Fish13(2):52-59\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHorvath Z, Wittmann F (1988) Data on the hymenopterous parasitoids of the broomrape-miner \u003cem\u003e(Phytomyza orobanchia \u003c/em\u003eKalt). \u003cem\u003eNovenyvedelem \u003c/em\u003e24:245-249\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKlyueva M, Pamukchi GV (1983) How to determine the technical effectiveness of \u003cem\u003ePhytomyza. \u0026apos;Zashchita Rastenii \u003c/em\u003e6:41-42\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKlein O, Kroschel J (2002) Biological control of \u003cem\u003eOrobanche \u003c/em\u003espp. With\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhytomyza orobanchia,\u003c/em\u003e a review. Review Article. BioControl, 47: 245\u0026ndash;277\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLinke KH, Saxena MC (1991) Towards an integrated control of \u003cem\u003eOroba11- che \u003c/em\u003espp. in some legume crops. In: \u003cem\u003eProceedings, Progress in Orobanche Research, \u003c/em\u003epp. 248-256 (Wegmann, K. and Musselman, L.J., eds). Eberhard\u0026shy; Karls-University, Tubingen, FRG.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLinke KH (1992) Biology and control of \u003cem\u003eOrobanche \u003c/em\u003ein legume crops. \u003cem\u003ePL/TS\u003c/em\u003e 10:62\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLinke KH, Vorlaender C, Saxena MC (1990) Occurrence and impact of \u003cem\u003ePhytomyza orobanchia \u003c/em\u003e(Diptera: Agromyzidae) on \u003cem\u003eOroba11che cre11ata \u003c/em\u003e(Orobanchaceae) in Syria. \u003cem\u003eEntomophaga \u003c/em\u003e35:633-639\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManjunath TM, Nagurkatti S (1977) Natural enemies of \u003cem\u003eOrobanche \u003c/em\u003ein India and possibilities of its biological control. Technical Bulletin of the Common\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003eWealth\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003eInstitute.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMihajlović L (1986) Results of investigation on \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e spp. entomofauna in\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003eYugoslavia and the possibility of using insects for biological control. \u0026ndash; Pp. 118-126. In: B org S. J. (ed.): Biology and Control of \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e. Proceedings of a Workshop in Wageningen, The Netherlands, 13-17 January 1986. \u0026ndash; vii + 206 pp.; PUDOC,\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003eWageningen\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOkazova AG \u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e)\u003c/span\u003e1973\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e(\u003c/span\u003e(\u003cem\u003ePhytomyza \u003c/em\u003ein tobacco of the Krim). Za\u0026thorn;cita Rastenij (USSR) 18: 21\u0026ndash;22.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParker C, Riches CR (1993) \u003cem\u003eParasitic Weeds of the World: Biology and Control. \u003c/em\u003eCAB International, UK, 332 pp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRezene Fessehaie, Parker C (1992) Problems and control of parasitic weeds in Ethiopia. In: \u003cem\u003eProceedings, 2nd Ethiopia11 Weed Science Workshop, \u003c/em\u003eAddis Ababa, 1988, pp. 61-63. EWSC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSaghir AR (1979) Different chemicals and their potential for \u003cem\u003eOrobanche \u003c/em\u003econtrol. In: \u003cem\u003eProceedings, 2nd /11temational Symposium 011 Parasitic Weeds, \u003c/em\u003epp. 41-47. (Musselman, L.J. Worsham, A.D. and Eplee, R.E., eds). North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSaghir AR, Kurban M, Budayr B (1980) Studies on the control of Oroba11che in Lebanon. Trop Pest Manag 26:51-55\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSauerborn J (1991) Parasitic: Flowering Plams: Ecology a,u} Ma11agemem. Verlag Josef Margraf, Wiekersheim, FRG. 127 pp.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSchroeder D (1994) Potential for Biological Control of \u003cem\u003eCuscuta \u003c/em\u003espp. and \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e spp. In: Proceedings, Workshop: Oroba11cheaul Cuscuta Parasitic Weed Ma11agement in the Near East, Amman, Jordan, 1993, pp. 45-69. FAO plant production and protection report TCP/RAB 2252 Rome.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpencer KA (1973) Agromyzidae (Diptera) of economic importance. In: Series Entomologica, Vol. 9, 418 pp. (Schimitschek, E., ed.) the Hague, the Netherlands.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"
[email protected]","identity":"egyptian-journal-of-biological-pest-control","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ebpc","sideBox":"Learn more about [Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control](http://ejbpc.springeropen.com)","snPcode":"41938","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/41938/3","title":"Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Open","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Orobanche crenata, Phytomyza orobanchia, Vicia faba, biological control, Egypt","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6483966/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6483966/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe parasitic weed, \u003cem\u003eOrobanche crenata\u003c/em\u003e Forsk (Orobanchaceae) is a noxious root parasite which seriously damage the production of many crops, particularly in the Leguminosae such as faba bean \u003cem\u003eVicia faba\u003c/em\u003e. Significant yield losses in faba bean fields can be attributed to its parasitism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe occurrence of \u003cem\u003ePhtomyza orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e Kalt fly in faba bean fields naturally infested by the parasitic weed \u003cem\u003eOrobanche crenata\u003c/em\u003e Forsk, was studied in two locations namely Abies and Nubaria farms during three successive faba bean seasons, 2020\u0026ndash;2023 during, February, March and April (cool to warm temperature). The fly population was generally low in the 3 seasons in February, but increase to its maximum in late March in the 1st season and April in the 2nd and 3rd seasons. In Nubaria farm most larvae and puparia of \u003cem\u003ePh.orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e fly were found in fruits capsules with significantly lower proportions in plant base and stem parts. The fly preferred to attack the middle and upper fruits than lower ones. In Abies farm most of \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e flies were significantly found in plant base followed by plant capsules and the lowest proportion was in the plant stem. The Broomrapes are very prolific, producing thousands of tiny ripe Seeds/ plant. Thirty flowering Broomrape shoots produce 1,320 seed capsules. In one capsule, 4721.49 ripe seeds had been counted and an average of 207,247minute seeds can be produced per plant.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eInfestation with \u003cem\u003ePhytomyza\u003c/em\u003e fly is efficient in reducing \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e seed yield so has a great effect in the reduction of \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e seed bank. The work suggested that \u003cem\u003ePh. orobanchia\u003c/em\u003e could be a promising biological control agent of \u003cem\u003eOrobanche\u003c/em\u003e spp. in Egypt, especially if resistance faba bean cultivar was grown and repeated field mass release techniques could be adopted.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Phytomyza orobanchia Kalt.as a biological control agent of Orobanche crenata Forsk, in Alexansria, Egypt","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-05-13 15:57:15","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6483966/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-05-30T13:56:21+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-05-29T23:46:54+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"221385688482058109766360844429844907489","date":"2025-05-26T10:09:49+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-05-20T01:28:16+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"182884165002295459309024002623612660762","date":"2025-05-09T20:06:47+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-05-09T10:03:55+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-05-05T10:47:20+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-05-05T10:46:08+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control","date":"2025-04-19T09:51:32+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"
[email protected]","identity":"egyptian-journal-of-biological-pest-control","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ebpc","sideBox":"Learn more about [Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control](http://ejbpc.springeropen.com)","snPcode":"41938","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/41938/3","title":"Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Open","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"4279ecfa-7c2c-4761-ade6-c3848e462127","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 13th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-23T16:06:54+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-6483966","link":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-025-00869-w","journal":{"identity":"egyptian-journal-of-biological-pest-control","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control"},"publishedOn":"2026-03-17 15:58:25","publishedOnDateReadable":"March 17th, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-05-13 15:57:15","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1186/s41938-025-00869-w","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-025-00869-w","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6483966","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6483966","identity":"rs-6483966","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}
Text is read by the "Ask this paper" AI Q&A widget below.
Extraction quality varies by source — PMC NXML preserves structure
cleanly, OA-HTML may include some navigation residue, and OA-PDF can
have broken hyphenation. The publisher copy
(via DOI)
is the canonical version.