In Egypt, Macrotomapalmata F. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a serious polyphagous pest attacking fruit, wood and ornamental trees. Apricot orchards, however, are liable to severe infestation especially in dense plantations. Hosts and degree of infestation in Matrouh, Alexandria, Gharbia, Dakhalia, Sharkia, Ismailia, Suez, Qalubia, Menofia, Giza, Fayoum and North Sinai were recorded. The seasonal fluctuation in population was monitored on apricot trees at Alexandria and Giza governorates throughout the 3 successive years (1987–1989). M. palmata started to emerge during June and continued until October. At both the experimental sites, M. palmata development was influenced by temperature and relative humidity.

The legume pod-borer, Maruca testulalis was reared in the laboratory for 10 successive generations using a semi-synthetic diet. The diet was composed of locally available soybean flour and cowpea flower powder as basal ingredients. The artificial medium was as suitable as the cowpea host plant for M, testulalis in supporting larval growth and development. Fecundity increased with advancing generations on the artificial medium. Field collected pupae were heavier than diet-reared pupae. However, the fecundity, fertility, adult life span, and sex ratio did not differ between the two rearing regimes. The laboratory-reared insects were of acceptable uniform quality and predictable performance even after 10 successive generations of laboratory rearing. Adult emergence ranged between 70–90%. One litre of diet produced on average 400 pupae or adults with a mean fecundity of 200 eggs per female. One person working 8 hr/day can produce a minimum of 1000 healthy pupae or adults daily. The laboratory rearing management protocol is described.

Sexual receptivity was investigated in female Ghssina morsitans morsitans Westwood after mating. The degree of insemination and duration of copulation could affect sexual receptivity when females mate with immature males. However, matings with mature males showed no effect. The “jerking phase” appears to be an important mechanical factor in female post-mating refractory behaviour.