A Doctoral Dissertation at University of Basrah Investigates the Scientific Identification of the Greater Wax Moth in Iraq
The College of Agriculture at University of Basrah examined a doctoral dissertation entitled “Morphological and Molecular Identification of the Greater Wax Moth Using Food-Baited and Light Traps in Central and Southern Iraq.”
The dissertation, presented by researcher Rajaa Malik Khalaf, aimed to survey the distribution of the greater wax moth across several Iraqi provinces, determine infestation rates in apiaries, and identify the insect through both morphological and molecular approaches by extracting and analyzing its DNA and comparing the results with the National Center for Biotechnology Information database.
The findings revealed that the insect is widely distributed across the study area, with noticeable morphological variations among the collected specimens despite their molecular similarity. The study also demonstrated the effectiveness of light traps in capturing the pest, providing valuable insights for improving monitoring and control programs and enhancing the protection of apiaries.
Department of Media and Government Communication
