الكائنات الممرضة للحشرات و المتطفلات المرافقة لحشرة حفار عذوق النخيل Oryctes spp. (Coleoptera : Dynastidae)‎ على النخيل في العراق

Abstract EN

A survey was conducted on larvae and adults of palm rhinoceros beetle Oryctes spp.

in infested date palm regions of Iraq to identify different associated pathogens and parasites.

Oryctes virus was recorded as a virus infecting the larval stage.

The symptoms observed were slow movement, no feeding and white spots appeared under the skin, in addition to an increase in size of infected abdomen.

Consequently, larval body was converted to clear transparent liquid with chalky appearance, and finally the infected insect died.

The biochemical tests confirmed that some larvae were infected with the bacteria Pseudomonas sp.

The infected larvae had a blue color, changed to black and finally died, releasing a bad smell.

Furthermore, the results showed that Steinernema sp.

as an entomopathogenic nematodes was found to attack the larval stage of the insect and caused death, with the insects color change to brown or sometimes black.

Likewise, Beauveria bassiana was identified as an entomopathogenic fungus that infects the insect larvae.

Dead larvae had white hypha on their bodies that finally get dry.

Moreover, the results of this study also identified the mite Sancassania sp.

to parasatize both larvae and adults of the insect.

The two mite species Pergamasus sp.

and Rhizoglyphus robini were recorded for the first time to parasatize the insect adults for the first time in Iraq.

The density and exposure time of mite adult Sancassaina determined the infestation level and mortality rate of the borer adults.

Results obtained indicated that 20 mites/insect caused 100% mortality of target pest 10 days after infestation, whereas 5 mites/insect didn’t cause any mortality and there was insignificant difference between this treatment and the control (without mites).