Field experiments were carried out during 2009 and 2010 seasons to study the effect of four cucurbit crops ( squash , cucumber , snake cucumber , watermelon ) during two plantations (Summer and Late summer plantation ) on the population density of Epilachna chrysomelina F. The obtained results revealed that, snake cucumber plant harboured the highest average number of eggs (59.1 ± 4.9 and 63.3 ± 5.2 eggs / m2) in late summer plantation during the two seasons, respectively. On the other hand, cucumber plants harboured the lowest average number of eggs (18.2 ± 3.0 and 23.4 ± 3.5 eggs / m2) in summer plantation 2009 season and late summer plantation in 2010 season, respectively. Moreover, there were a highly significant differences between the number of egg - laying on different cucurbit plants during the two seasons in the two plantations. Meanwhile, it can noticed that, the melon ladybird beetle females preferred snake cucumber to egg-laying followed by squash, watermelon and cucumber revealed the lowest cucurbit plant to the insect female to egg-laying preference.
The obtained results showed that, snake cucumber plant harboured the highest average number of larvae (35.7 ± 4.0 and 44.5 ± 4.5 larvae / m2) in late summer plantation during 2009 and 2010 seasons, respectively. On the other hand, cucumber plants harboured the lowest average number of larvae (13.5 ± 2.6 and 14.2 ± 2.9 larvae / m2) in summer plantation 2009 and late summer plantation in 2010 season, respectively. Moreover, there were highly significant differences between the number of larvae on different cucurbit plants during the two seasons in the two plantations. Meanwhile, it can noticed that, the melon ladybird beetle E. Chrysomelina preferred snake cucumber to larvae followed by squash, watermelon and Cucumber exhibited the lowest cucurbit plant to the insect larvae rearing.
The results indicated that, snake cucumber plant harboured the highest average number of the adult (12.5 ± 2.5 and 21.1 ± 3.6 individuals / m2) in late summer plantation in the first and second seasons, respectively. On the other hand, cucumber plants harbored the lowest average number of adult (4.9 ± 1.8 and 6.1 ± 2.1 individuals / m2) in late summer plantation in the first and second seasons, respectively. Moreover, there were highly significant differences between the numbers of adults on different cucurbit plants during the two seasons in the two plantations. Meanwhile, it can noticed that, the melon ladybird beetle E. Chrysomelina adults preferred snake cucumber followed by squash, watermelon and cucumber revealed the lowest cucurbit plant preference to the insect adult.
The obtained results indicated that, late summer plantation harboured the highest average number of eggs, larvae and adults of the insect pest on all cucurbit host plants. Moreover, the second season 2010 exhibited the highest average number of the insect population on the tested cucurbit host plants.