بررسی تغییرات جمعیت سوسک دمبرگ نخیلات Phonapate nitidipennis (Waterhouse) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) در آبادان، جنوب استان خورستان

The palm frond borer, Phonapate nitidipennis (Waterhouse) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae(, is one of the significant wood-boring pests affecting palm trees. In recent years, its activity has been observed in palm groves in the southern provinces of Iran, including Bushehr and Khuzestan. The larvae and adult beetles feed on green and semi-dry fronds, burrowing tunnels from the base of the petiole towards its middle. This feeding activity destroys the woody tissue of the frond, causing it to break with minimal mechanical pressure, such as wind. The larvae and adults limit their feeding, mating, and egg-laying to the fronds. The main indicator of infestation by this pest is the appearance of sticky spots at the entry and exit holes of larval activity on the frond. So far, no activity of this pest has been observed in other parts of the palm tree. Unfortunately, despite the pest's activity, there is very little information available about it in the country. This study investigates the population dynamics of adult beetles in Heyr village, Abadan County, using light traps with a 500-watt light source in a 1-hectare palm grove during 2020. The results showed that this beetle completes one generation under the climatic conditions of southern Iran. The activity of adult beetles was visible during a short one-month period. Egg-laying was gradual, and no more than one egg was observed in the captured adult beetles. Adult beetles appeared in the first decade of May (April 30, 2020: ♂ 1), with the population gradually increasing in the second week (May 7, 2020: ♀2), peaking in the third week of May, coinciding with the third week of capturing (May 14, 2020: ♂ 1 and ♀3), and then decreasing in subsequent weeks (May 21, 2020: ♂ 1) (May 28, 2020: 0). The adult beetles were visible until June 4, 2020(♀1). Despite the low population of the pest in the area, due to its high damage potential in neighboring countries' palm groves, annual monitoring of the pest is essential to prevent sudden outbreaks.