MOLECULAR INVESTIGATION OF PENTODON ALGERINUS (FÜESSLY, 1778) (COLEOPTERA, SCARABAEIDAE), WITH DESCRIPTION OF THE LAST INSTAR GRUB

Abdulkareem Abdullah Mohammed; Pshtiwan Abdullah Jalil

doi:10.26842/binhm.7.2026.19.1.0015

Authors

Abdulkareem Abdullah Mohammed Department of Plant Protection, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin, University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Pshtiwan Abdullah Jalil Department of Plant Protection, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin, University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26842/binhm.7.2026.19.1.0015

Keywords:

Erbil, COI, Description, Pentodon, White Grub.

Abstract

In this study, the species Pentodon algerinus (Füessly, 1778) (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) was genetically recorded in the NCBI GenBank database using the mitochondrial partial gene (COI) through a molecular technique. Then the third instar grub of this species was morphologically described using light microscopy. Throughout the study, 24 grubs were collected from different localities in Erbil Province. Most characteristics of the last instar grub were illustrated; the description was based on the reared grub to adults under field conditions to confirm identification. Although many research attempts have focused on the adult stage, no work has been convoyed on the immature stage that feeds in the root area of lawns in this province.