MONITORING THE DATE-PALM FROND BORER PHONAPATE FRONTALISFAHRAEUS (COLEOPTERA: BOSTRYCHIDAE) A PEST RECENTLY THREATENING GRAPE VINEYARDS IN EGYPT

The date-palm frond borer Phonapate fronta/is Fahraeus (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae), attacking grapevine trees for the first time, were monitored in vineyards during the three successive years (2004, 2005 and 2006). Monitoring the population fluctuation was carried out at Giza and Behera governorates. The rate of infestation approximated 17.17%, while the degree of infestation reached 0.91 beetles per tree. The seasonal abundance of the adult beetles prevailed from late May or beginning of June to October with one or two flight peaks. The major beetles' flight period was in summer months (July-September) (0.59 - 0.88 beetles / tree), while spring and autumn were the minor (0.03 - 0.06 beetle / tree), however its activity stopped during winter. The total numbers per year were 0.67 — 0.99 beetles/tree. There were one definite brood of beetles' activity In Behera governorate, while one to two broods were recorded in Giza governorate. There were 4 - 5.5 months of beetles' activity. Effect of weather factors on the borers activity was mostly positively significant with daily maximum, daily minimum, and daily mean temperatures but mostly negative and insignificant with daily mean relative humidity. Infestation was almost doubled during only one year, and thrice during two years, thus needed urgent integrated control.