A Preliminary Survey of Harmful Date Palm Fauna in D. I. Khan

Ejaz Ahmad Khan

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan.

Iqtidar Hussain *

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan.

M. Niamat Ullah

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Gomal University, D.I. Khan, Pakistan.

Muhammad Aqdas Takreem Khan

Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

A survey was conducted to find out date palm fauna in D.I. Khan on the variety “Dhakki” in the months of June to September, 2014. The observed insects including Rhynchoforus ferrugineus, Palaminus  simony,  Palaminus  nilgirienses  (Staphylinidae),  Sparostes  striatulus  (Carabidae), Coccinella septumpunctata (Coccinellidae), Clerada apicicornis (Lygidae),  Monomorium indicum (Formicidae)  and  Blata  orientalis  (Blattidae).  All the three stages (larva, pupa and adult)  of Rhynchophorus ferrugenius were collected from within the palm and it was found as the major insect. Among the pollinating insects; beetles, bees (honey bees and bumble bees) and flies were observed and collected. In addition to above mentioned insects, myriads of arachnids viz. Peucitia prasina, Acanthodan crassus, Acanthodan fortis and snails viz.  Monoca obstructa were also collected from the leaves and stem, respectively. All the insects had no influence on the date palm, except Red Palm Weevil (RPW).

Keywords: Date palm, dhakki variety, red palm weevil, fauna


How to Cite

Khan, Ejaz Ahmad, Iqtidar Hussain, M. Niamat Ullah, and Muhammad Aqdas Takreem Khan. 2023. “A Preliminary Survey of Harmful Date Palm Fauna in D. I. Khan”. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 35 (10):101-7. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijpss/2023/v35i102929.