The stem borer weevil,
Lixus algirus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), causes severe damage to faba beans (
Vicia faba L.) in Morocco. A survey was conducted to determine the distribution of
L. algirus, its natural enemies, and the severity of damage it causes
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The stem borer weevil,
Lixus algirus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), causes severe damage to faba beans (
Vicia faba L.) in Morocco. A survey was conducted to determine the distribution of
L. algirus, its natural enemies, and the severity of damage it causes to faba beans in Morocco. A total of 16 and 27 stops were randomly selected and surveyed in the major faba bean-growing regions during the years 2017 and 2018, respectively. The Gharb region recorded the highest level of
L. algirus infestation at 80% and 71.42% in 2017 and 2018, respectively, followed by the Saïs region at 58.75% and 36% in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Two egg parasitoids (
Chlorocytuslixi and
Anaphes longicornis), one egg predator (
Orius sp.), and a larval parasitoid (
Cyanopterobracon) were identified. The ectoparasitoid
C. lixi was observed to be the most dominant species, with percentages of parasitism in the regions ranging between 35.75% and 70.49%. The larval parasitoid
Cyanopterobracon was the second most abundant species, with percentages of parasitism ranging between 3.03% to 15.96%. Understanding the parasitoid complex of
L. algirus in Morocco is necessary for the subsequent development of a biological control program.
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