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

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).