Population density of Oryctes elegans Prell. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) on some date palm varieties in South Baghdad Orchards

摘要

Laboratory and field studies were conducted to investigate the population density of Fruit stalkborer Oryctes elegans Prell in date palm orchards grown in Al-madain region about 30km southof Baghdad in 2009.The susceptibility of some date palm varieties, ( Braim, Ustaomran, Zahdi,Berhee, Khadhrawi, Khastawi, and Oueedi), to borer infestation was also tested. Resultsindicated that the mean density for borer larvae was 5.75 individual/tree. The Brim variety showedthe highest susceptibility with an average of larvae population reached to 13 individual/tree. foundin the part of the tree which was under annual management for bruning and removal of oldfronds used to done during March and April. As for the adult density, results obtained by solarlight trap showed that the mean number for adults catch was 29 insect /trap for the period of Julyto October while the highest trap catch was 37 adult /trap occurred during September. Results ofthe morphological studies had also indicated the presence of some differences in term of width,depth, weight of frond bases. Therefore, results of this study could be of benefit for orchardsowners when applying an integrated program for controlling date palm pests.