الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) is a major urban insect pest in many parts of the world. In Egypt, it is the main pest in hospitals, hotels, restaurant and other food outlets. Ecological parameters play an important role on the density and infestation rates of B. germanica indoors hospitals and the control of this pest presently continues to rely heavily on the use of insecticides. Extensive usage of insecticides has led to the development of insecticide resistance in this pest, therefore our goal of this study will focus on density, diversity, infestation rates and impact of some ecological parameters such as temperature, humidity, sanitation and ventilation on the population density of this pest in the hospitals. Also, using entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae as a biocontrol agent against B. germanica in the laboratory using different methods. This study was conducted in Ismailia Governorate indoor two hospitals, one in rural area and the other in urban area. Also, laboratory studies was achieved in the plant protection department, Suez Canal University.
Data indicated that population density of B. germanica decreased gradually from August to December of 2012 and 2013 in both hospitals and density of B. germanica was higher in urban hospital than rural hospital in all months of 2012 and 2013. Nymphal stage showed higher density and infestation rates in all surveyed places in both hospitals. The highest density was in kitchen, followed by dry food store, furniture store and patient room in both hospitals. Moreover, Data indicated that incidence of positive correlation between density and temperature and negative correlation between density and humidity in both hospitals during 2012 and 2013. The density also correlated with ventilation and sanitation of different places in hospitals. Results of food preference experiments showed that biscuit was avoiding food, whereas banana was preferred food item. Results of entomopathogenic nematode, S. carpocapsae, when used as biocontrol agent against B. germanica in the laboratory using different methods, revealed that S. carpocapsae was more virulent on cockroach, especially in filter paper assay after four days of exposure. Also, when using S. carpocapsae against different stages of cockroach in the small unit chamber in the laboratory by using direct spray, dry food banana with nematode, and cat food with nematode, results indicated that spray method was more virulent than the two previous method against adults and nymphs of cockroach, but nymph stage was more susceptible to nematode than adults stage.
Key words German cockroach – Entomopathogenic nematodes - Density – Hospitals – Ecological parameters – Food preference.