EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT SAMPLING METHODS TO ESTIMATE THE POPULATION DENSITY OF BLISTER BEETLE, MELOE PROSCARABAEUS L. (COLEOPTERA: MELOIDAE) IN NEW-VALLEY GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

The blister beetle, meloe proscarabaeus l. (coleoptera: meloidae) was recorded for the first time as a serious insect pest attacking faba bean (vicia faba l.), peas, alfalfa, onion and wild weeds in el farafra oasis, (western desert), egypt. beetles feed on foliage and flowers of injured plants causing defoliation and crop loss. adults occurred in the fields from early november until late march. beetles secrete a cantharidin fluid, a potent blistering agent which burns plant leaves and flowers and at the same time, it is strong poison to all livestock and domestic animals feeding on contaminated plants. the present work was conducted to evaluate different sampling methods to estimate the population of m. proscarabaeus under field conditions of el–farafra oasis. three methods were tested during two seasons (2009-20010) and (2010-2011). results revealed that the most effective method was direct count technique followed by pitfall traps and at last was wooden frames. direction wise the north direction was significantly efficient over other directions.