A field survey of store pests that infect dates in some orchards and warehouses in Babylon governorate

The study was carried out in a number of palm orchards and warehouses belonging to some districts and sub-districts in Babil Governorate for the period from (August 4, 2021 until the end of the year) and included a field and warehouse survey to find out the types of pests that infect palms that are present in the orchards and warehouses associated with dates stored in Babylon and for nine areas (Al-Mashra, Jibla, Al-Mahaweel, Al-Imam District, Al-Nile, Al-Hilla Center, Al-Kifl, Al-Qasim, Al-Musayyab). Samples were collected weekly, using manual collection method, light traps, and oral suction trap. The results resulted in the collection of three species, and the rates of infestation for each type were clarified, as insects were collected from orchards before, during and after harvesting, as well as from stores. Through the survey that was conducted in the date orchards in the research areas in Babylon, it was found that the date moth Ephestia cautella had the highest presence and the most presence in the areas (Al-Kifl, Al-Qasim, Al-Musayyab, Al-Mashra) with infection rates of (78,78, 75.75)%, respectively. The rest of the regions recorded an average presence of the pest. A weak presence of the insect was also observed in some areas. Also, a moderate and weak presence of Oryzaephilus surinamenisis was observed in most of the research areas, and a weak presence was recorded in the two areas (Nile, AL-Hilla Center ), while the remaining pests, Ephestia calidella, Ephestia elutella and Ephestia kuehniella were weakly recorded and not recorded in some stores. The greatest damage was observed for E.cautella and O.surinamenisis, and a slight effect was recorded for the other insects.