Field experiments were conducted at K'lfr EI-Sheikh Governorate during two
successive seasons (1999/2000) and (2000/20()1). Sugar beet was planted at three
planting dates, during the first week of September, October and November,
respectively. In each plantation, the relative .ibundance of Spodoplera littoralis
(Boisd.), Pegomyia mixta (ViII.), Cassida vtttete (ViII.) and three common predators
Paederus a/fierii (Stef.), Coccinel/a spp. and Chry .. ;operla camea (Steph.) populations
were estimated. The seasonal abundance of either tested insect pest or predator was
significantly varied among tested planting dates Statistical analysis indicated that
there are significantly positive correlation coefficmnts between the predators density
and the main insect pests in the three planting dates. It was found out that September
was the most suitable planting date in the tested area, to avoid high insect infestation
at Kafr EI-Sheikh Governorate is at early Septernbe.. Results also indicated a negative correlation between the weight of sugar beet
root and sucrose percentage with regard of the artificial infestation of Pegomyia
mixta.