DISTRIBUTION AND TEMPORAL ABUNDANCE OF THE LESSER DATE MOTH BATRACHEDRA AMYDRAULA MEYRICK, 1916 (LEPIDOPTERA, BATRACHEDRIDAE) IN BASRAH PROVINCE, IRAQ

Abstract

    The spatial and temporal distribution of the lesser date moth (LDM) Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick, 1916 (Lepidoptera, Batrachedridae), a key pest of date palms Phoenix dactylifera L. across Basrah Province during the fruiting season of 2024, was evaluated in this study. Results revealed that the lesser date moth was distributed in all the surveyed districts of Basrah. Al-Nashwa and Abu-Al Khaseeb Districts recorded the highest infestation surveyed, whereas Al-Dair, Safwan, Al-Sibah, and Al-Faw Districts recorded the lowest infestation rates. The cultivars Halawi, Zahdi, and Brim were the most susceptible, while the cultivars Barhi and Dieri were the least infested. The fruit developmental stage had a strong effect on the intensity of infestation, which reached its peak at the Chameri stage. Over time, monitoring revealed three peaks of infestation of the lesser date moth. These peaks occurred in late May, in early June, and in late June, which coincided with the early stages of fruit development (Chameri and Hababok). Adult activity of LDM began in early March and peaked in early May; however, adult activity disappeared by mid-July. Additionally, negative and weak positive correlations were noted between infestation and temperature and between infestation and humidity, respectively. The study concluded that B. amydraula is widely distributed and exhibits temporal fluctuations across Basrah, with population dynamics dependent on the environmental conditions, the susceptibility of the host plants, and the developmental stages of the plants.