TOXICITY OF HONEYBEE PROPOLIS AGAINST Pectinophora gossypiella (SAUND.), Spodoptera littoralis (BOISD.) AND Aphis craccivora (KOCH)

Propolis is a natural resin produced by honeybees colonies in two kinds (Egyptian and Chinese propolis) were tested against some injurious pests i.e. eggs, newly hatched and 4th instars larvae of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora. gossypiella (Saund.), 4th instars larvae of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera. littoralis (Boisd.) and the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora (Koch) adults and nymphs. The results showed that; the newly hatched larvae is considered the most susceptible stage of the pink bollworm, followed by 1, 2, 3 and 4-day old eggs especially 1-2 day old eggs. While, the fourth instar larvae were the least susceptible than the other tested stages of P. gossypiella to tested propolis preparations. Fourth instar larvae of the cotton leafworm, S. littoralis were treated by propolis and the mortality rates were recorded at 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7-day after treatments used by the tested preparations of propolis. The propolis exhibited toxicity effect on the 4th instar larvae of S. littoralis especially at 5-7 days after treatment. Adults and nymphs of the cowpea aphid, A. crassivora were affected and should high susceptibility to the toxicity of the propolis treatments.
Collectively, Egyptian honeybee propolis was more effective than Chinese one in all the treatments against the tested pests aforementioned.