The Date Palm Research Center at the University of Basrah organized a scientific lecture titled “The Red Palm Weevil: The Most Dangerous Pest Threatening Date Palms.”
The lecture aimed to introduce red palm weevil control programs based on the integration of preventive and curative measures, in addition to raising farmers’ awareness and ensuring rapid intervention, given their essential role in protecting date palms and preserving this important agricultural and economic resource.
The lecture, delivered by Dr. Ghazwan Faisal Khalaf, addressed the identification of this dangerous pest and its severe damage to date palm trees. It reviewed the most prominent symptoms that appear in the advanced stages of infestation, emphasizing the importance of early detection to limit the spread of the pest. The lecture also explained control methods within the framework of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), including preventive measures, regular monitoring, as well as biological and chemical control in accordance with approved technical recommendations.
The lecture highlighted the seriousness of the red palm weevil as one of the most destructive insect pests affecting date palms, due to the extensive damage it causes, which may lead to palm death—particularly because of the internal nature of the infestation, which is difficult to detect at early stages.
Department of Media and Government Communications
