Ecological aspects of the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae) in Fayoum governorate

The black cutworm (BCW), Agrotis ipsilon is considered one of the most injurious insect pests causing serious damage to crops' seedlings in Fayoum Governorate. The present investigation was carried out with endeavor of contributing information about some ecological aspects of this pest. Results revealed that, the activity of A. ipsilon increased during autumn till the beginning of summer as it showed the least activity from May to August. A. ipsilon had two generations per year on sesame and sunflower plants. First generation occurred in December and the second was in January and February. The minimum temperature appeared to be the most influencing factor affecting the BCW population density, as a unit (1 oC) increase above the average of that factor decreased the insect population by two insects. The R. H. % seemed not to affect the numbers of A. ipsilon.