Non-arthropod pests of date palm and their management.

Abstract

Abstract In addition to the arthropod pests, the date palm Phoenix dactylifera L is attacked by numerous non-arthropod pests, which include birds, rodents, bats, nematodes and snails. This review lists 57 species of birds reported in the agro-ecosystem of date palm. Of these, three species are major pests, 35 species are minor pests, 15 species are neutral and four species are birds of prey (raptors). The major bird pest species are the bulbuls, Pycnonotus spp., the rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri and the house sparrow Passer domesticus . Rodents comprise 13 species, of which 12 are rats and mice and one species of porcupine. The major rodents are the roof rat Rattus rattus , the Norway rat Rattus norvegicus , the house mouse Mus musculus , the Nile rat Arvicanthis niloticus and the mole rat Nesokia indica . The Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus , is reported to be an important pest of date palm fruits. The review also lists 24 species of nematodes belonging to the following genera: Meloidogyne , Pratylenchus , Helicotylenchus and Tylenchorhynchus . Additionally, four species of land snails associated with date palm are listed. The article gives comprehensive information on the major non-arthropod pests of date palm regarding their distribution, biology, behaviour, nature of damage and possible management measures. Non-arthropod pests of minor importance are mentioned as checklists.