Evaluation of Different Insecticides Against Lesser Date Moth, Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick, 1916 (Lepidoptera: Batrachedridae) under Field Conditions

In order to determine the toxicity of four reasonable pesticides, including a defence against Batrachedra amydraula in field circumstances, a two-year study was conducted in 2017 and 2018. On Aseel cultivars that were fifteen to twenty years old, pesticides were used. The distances between tree-to-tree of date palms were kept at 22sq feet for the integrated pest management spray schedule. All five treatments were replicated three times at a fortnightly interval basis. After application of all insecticides, the result depicted that, (T 1 )= Lambda-cyhalothrin, exhibited reduction % in both years as, (69.14±9.44%) and (60.52±8.59%), (T 2 )= Boxer, (44.63±8.18%) and (45.46±7.45%), (T 3 )= Spinosad, (48.66±8.81%) and (44.10±7.97%), (T 4 )= Deltamethrin, (72.85±9.04%) and (59.85±5.82%), according to prescribed as per doses on trunks, leaves, and bunches. Thus, the data was taken as pre-treatment and post-treatment after the 2 nd , 5 th , 7 th, and 10 th post-spray days. In all scheduled sprays, the Deltamethrin was found with a maximum reduction % against the lesser date moth and recommended for the abrupt population reduction of the destructive pest species.


Introduction
The date palm tree is one of the sweetest, full nutrient, and oldest fruit crops in North America and the Middle East, especially in North African countries and Arabian Peninsula, had been cultivated about 7000 years ago (Flower et al., 2019) and have a vital character in commodities of daily life (Sallon et al., 2020).These fruit-bearing oldest trees grow well in different countries around the world in severe environmental conditions (Iubied and Hamzah, 2019).In the cultural heritage of the Arab region, the date palm possesses crucial significance in history being the most ancient, cultivated crop 3300-3100 BC (Paszke, 2019).These fruits originated in Mesopotamia and then spread to different parts of the world (Metwally and Basheer, 2019).These valuable plants best grow in warmer areas, flowering and fruit development require high temperatures ideally cultivated in dry and hot areas, and climate change is expected to reduce its suitable production (Allbed et al., 2017;Shahid et al., 2021;Jallat et al., 2022).The date palm is the most valuable tree in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia, however, the vast majority of its annual production is lost as seeds, dried fruits, and fibrous components (Faiad et al., 2022).Its economic average life is forty to fifty years but some can give production still one hundred and fifty years (Chao and Krueger, 2007).Egypt is the top most date producing country around 1.6 million tons in 2019, while Saudi Arabia ranked 2 nd position in date production basis in the world FAOSTAT Statistics Division (2021).Date palms are economically valuable trees used as ornamental trees within urban areas (Ahmed et al., 2022), due to their tolerance capability in drought and salinity conditions (Mattar et al., 2021) and there are differences in the concentrations of the date fruits due to location, date variety, soil, fertilizers, and irrigation water (Perveen and Bokahri, 2020).The date palm dry and semi-dry fruits contain both macro and micronutrients which are playing a pivotal role in the functions of the human body and are rich in vitamins, nutrients, minerals, dietary fibers proteins (Rambabu et al., 2020), and a significant amount of carotenoids, phytosterols and Polyphenols (Mia et al., 2020).Due to their popularity in marketing and sweet taste date fruits have received much attention (Fekry et al., 2022), and are regarded as the ideal healthy food for humans (Al-Shahib and Marshall, 2003).The economy of rural areas and the use of edible plants as a food source play important roles in health improvement (Khan et al., 2022).The vitamins in dates make them a valuable source of food in less developed nations where nutrient deficits are a problem (Shabani et al., 2016b).Because Pakistan is an arid and semi-arid country with favourable climatic conditions, date fruits are cultivated in large quantities there (Farooqi et al., 2005).However, date palm trees are being severely affected by actinobacteria existing naturally inside the tissues of P. dactylifera (Alblooshi et al., 2002).The productivity of date palm fruits is massively exaggerated due to climatic changes (Farooq et al., 2021) and the climatic variation at large scale causing disparity in different varieties of certain plant species (Gebrewahid et al., 2020).The date palm fruits are mainly infested by lesser date moths their larvae feed fruits until the end ripening stage (Ali and Hamma, 2016), and finally, the date fruit becomes dry red and fall (Masoud et al., 2021).In this way, this insect pest reduces the quality and quantity of the fruits (Shaaban et al., 2021).The larvae stages are the most voracious feeder (Jatoi et al., 2020).In Arabian Peninsula and neighboring countries such as; Libya, Iran, Israel, Egypt, and Iraq this pest species is regarded as the most destructive agent to date fruits and their larvae bore inside the fruit, remain attached by releasing the silk-like appearance and eventually and cause considerable yield losses (Al-Yahyai and Khan, 2015).It is critically important to monitor and detect invasive pest species (Sanderson et al., 2012).This insect pest species about forty-five years ago was introduced by Israel but currently, this species of pest is documented In the Middle East, North Africa, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, India, Iran, and Pakistan (Shayeteh et al., 2010).In Egypt, the fruit of the date palm is massively about 30-70% attacked by several pest species (Elrehewy et al., 2020).The wide application of toxic chemicals causes many problems of economic, human health, and environmental problems and also enhances the resistance power in pest insets (Abdel-Samad et al., 2019).The pest insect control strategy through the use of parasitism and predators is still limited (Alrubeai, 2017).Among the biological controlling agent, the Trichogramma species egg parasitism is the most used group of natural enemies, kill the insect pest before crop damage occurs and many crop types, leaf area of the crop, and wind speed factors influence the dispersal of Trichogramma (Hassan et al., 2018).Date fruits have a pivotal role in the economy of Pakistan and district Khaipur Sindh, Pakistan is the main hub of date fruits production but these valuable fruits are massively infested by the potential pest the Batrachedra amydraula (Jatoi et al., 2019).Keeping this in view, the research study was conducted for proper findings to share the stack holder of the date palm keeping orchards of the vicinity of Queen date palm district Khairpur, Sindh.

Use of rational insecticides under field conditions:
The field-based research work was performed for the management of the population of Batrachedra amydraula and the insecticidal efficacy of different insecticides was kept under observation.About ten to fifteen years old date palm trees were kept for insecticide application at Abdul Khalique Jatoi date palm orchards that were located at union council Mohil, Taluka, Kingri, District, Khairpur from, 2017-18.Through the application of different doses of insecticide, the reduction percentage of the pest was observed.The most recognized and economically valuable date palm variety the "Aseel" was kept under observation.This variety of the date palm is commonly cultivated in rows manner but the data was taken (RBCD) and each Aseel date palm plant has 22 sq feet of treatment size.Hence, the short life of the pest in the five treatments was replicated four times, and each spray was done at a fortnightly interval basis after the first emergence of the insect pest.In the present research study; four insecticides including control such as; (T1) = Lambdacyhalothrin (Karate ® , Syngenta) (T2) = Boxer TM , active ingredient Emamectin Benzoate (T3) = Spinosad, a Natural pesticide (T4) = Deltamethrin, synthetic pyrethroid and (T5) = Control were used against the population of lesser date moth at field conditions.At the rate of five to eight liters of water with the emulsifying recommended dose of insecticides the date palm was washed throughout such as; tree trunk, bunch, and size of per date palm Aseel tree.After the application of insecticides, the samples of each bunch from east, west, north, and south per tree sides of the observation were kept in every bioassay.Twenty damaged and undamaged branches were examined from each bunch and the percentage of infestation from each tree was evaluated.Before one day of pre-treatment, the data was taken and then after post-spray, the data of pest population was evaluated on the 2 nd , 5 th , 7 th , and 10 th days and also again on 14 th day after the spray completion the data was taken as pre-treatment.After the collection of data was entered in MS, excel spreadsheet to form the graph and tabulations, later on, to obtain standard errors, means, and obtained frequencies data was exported into statistical software.The analysis of variance and mean value compared through least significant differences at (P<0.01).In the 8.1 USA version, SWX statistical software was used for means evaluation and Schender and Orilla formula was used for the reduction percent population of the pest.

Lesser date
moth population reduction percentage after 1 st spray: For the purpose to examine the toxicant efficacy of four different insecticides field trials were examined against lesser date moth during, 2017.In 1 st spray the Limbda showed (82.09±9.72)reduction % after the 2 nd day (88.03±10.59)on the 5 th day (80.24±14.12)7 th days and (79.46±8.56%) 10 th day.Boxer at (96.22±10.92) 2 nd day (63.81±10.55) 5 th day (24.23±6.12)7 th days and (18.46±4.56) 10 th days.Spinosad shows (88.31±12.83) 2 nd day (9.53±2.55) 5 th day (44.23±6.83)7 th day (70.112±10.56)reduction % after 10 th days.Deltamethrin recorded at (93.03±9.92) 2 nd day (78.67±10.55) 5 th day (92.33±12.12)7 th day (95.30±11.10)reduction % after the 10 th day, respectively.The mean efficacy of Deltamethrin and Lambda insecticides was found more effective compared to Spinosad and Boxer.When the data was subjected to the analysis found with a significant differences at (DF= 3; F= 272.01;P= 0.01), (DF= 3; F= 2517.03;P= 0.02), (DF= 3; F= 477.00;P= 0.03), and (DF= 3; F= 212.05;P= 0.04) in Lambda, Boxer, Spinosad, and Deltamethrin, respectively.The reduction percentage of the pest insects was found high on the 2 nd day followed by the 5 th , 7 th , and 10 th days.The small letters show a statistical difference at (P<0.05) in one-way ANOVA, in time intervals among the treatment and capital letters in toxicity of insecticides as shown in (Fig. 1).Fig. 1.The reduction % of the LDM larvae after 1 st spray application of four different insecticides during, 2017 Lesser date moth population reduction percentage after 2 nd spray: In 2 nd spray, the Limbda was found at (72.13±9.52) 2 nd -day reduction % (80.95±10.27) 5 th day (75.23±13.33)7 th day and (55.42±9.68)after 10 th days larvae of LDM.Boxer (83.35±22.20)% on the 2 nd day, (54.68±112.15) 5 th day, (27.03±4.22)7 th day, and (22.58±3.96) on the 10 th day.The larvae reduction % recorded at (52.47±7.83) on the 2 nd day, (66.68±9.30) on the 5 th day, (46.79±6.21) on the 7 th day, and (37.18±6.56) on the 10 th day after the application of Spinosad.Deltamethrin showed (83.05±10.42) 2 nd the day, (78.07±8.25) on 5 th day, (73.43±7.14) on the 7 th day, and (66.30±10.56)against larvae reduction of LDM.The Deltamethrin and Lambda were found with maximum pest larvae reduction followed by Spinosad and Boxer.The ANOVA found with a significant difference among the day's intervals in Lambda, Boxer, Spinosad, and Deltamethrin at (DF= 3; F= 274.26;P; 0.02), (DF= 3; F= 2367.94;P= 0.01), (DF= 3; F= 454.84;P= 0.04) and (DF= 3; F= 183.52;P= 0.03), respectively.In 2 nd spray, insecticides were found with a maximum reduction % on the 2 nd day followed by the 5 th , 7 th, and 10 th days.The capital letters show a significant difference in the toxicant effect of insecticides and small letters in time intervals at (P<0.05), Tukeys test after compiling of way ANOVA, as shown in (Fig. 2).In the 3 rd spray, the maximum reduction % was recorded 5 th day followed 2 nd , 7 th, and 10 th days of the post-spray.The small letters show the significant difference in time intervals and capital letters significant difference in the toxicant effect of the insecticides at P<0.05, Tukeys test after one-way ANOVA, the further justification given in (Fig. 3) Fig. 3.The reduction % of LDM larvae after 3 rd spray application of four different insecticides during, 2017 Larvae population reduction % of LDM after 1 st spray: The field trials of the same chemical insecticides, Limbda, Boxer, Spinosad, and Deltamethrin were used against the larvae of LDM on date palm orchards in district Khairpur Mirs, Sindh, 2018.The data of the insect pest population was recorded 2 nd , 5 th , 7 th, and 10 th days of the postspray.In 1 st spray of the Lambda insecticide, the pest population reduction % was recorded at (52.14±8.63) on 2 nd the day, (70.95±8.37) on the 5 th day, (82.44±14.72)7 th day and (69.48±9.72) 10 th day against LDM.Boxer (37.23±6.32) 2 nd day, (54.88±8.25) 5 th day, (66.04±12.62)and (46.58±7.95).Spinosad (49.34±7.44) 2 nd day, (44.47±6.68) 5 th day, (50.68±6.79)7 th day, and (39.68±7.25) 10 th day.Deltamethrin (55.91±8.62) 2 nd day, (59.07±7.85) 5 th day, (73.61±11.42) 10 th day, respectively.The Deltamethrin and Lambda insecticides were found with maximum toxicant power against the larvae population compared to Boxer and Spinosad.When the data was statistical analysis found significant differences in Lambda at (DF= 3;F= 464.18.; P= 0.02), Boxer (DF= 3; F= 444.63;P= 0.04), Spinosad (DF= 3; F= 83.71; P= 0.01) and Deltamethrin (DF= 3; F= 405.03;P= 0.02) among the insecticide time intervals.In 1 st spray maximum reduction was observed after the 5 th day followed 2 nd , 7 th and 10 th days.The small letters indicate the statistical difference at P<0.05, in one way ANOVA in the time intervals and capital letters toxicities among the insecticides as justified in (Fig. 4) The population reduction % revealed high after the 7 th day followed 2 nd , 5 th, and 10 th days among four different insecticides during the 2 nd spray.The capital letters represent a significant difference at P<0.05, the Tukeys test through one-way ANOVA in their toxicity power, and small letters indicate the difference in post-spray time intervals in a population reduction of LDM as described in (Fig. 5).Further data revealed that in all treatments the maximum reduction was reported after the 7 th day followed 2 nd , 5 th, and 10 th days in the 3 rd spray, respectively.The small letters show a time interval statistical difference at P< 0.05, through the Tukeys test in one-way ANOVA within the treatments.However, capital letters insecticide effectiveness against pest population is further justified in (Fig. 6).District Khairpur Mirs in Pakistan is recognized as the primary center and environmentally favorable area for date cultivation with notable date palm varieties.This queen crop is consistently harmed by several pest species, but primarily by Batrachedra amydraula larval infestation.As described (Abul-Soad and Mahdi, 2010) that Oryctes rhinoceros, Arenipes saabella, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, Leucinodes orbonalis, Scales, mites, and Batrachedra amydraula cause up to date fruit 75% loss.Nowadays, Batrachedra amydraula is one of the most exciting factors depressing date production causing yield losses, economic threats, and attaining high costs for their management.In the present research study, four different insecticides were applied against pest population reduction % larvae of LDM under field conditions.During the first year of the study in the first spray maximum larvae reduction % was caused by the application of Deltamethrin this is the work agreement of (Adnan et al., 1989) who applied three insecticides and found fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos most effective compared to pirimiphosmethyl against the larvae of LDM.In a second spray of the first year, Deltamethrin proved to best larvae reduction on different days.In the third spray of the first year, Deltamethrin with more toxicity power compared with Lambda, Boxer, and Spinosad.Melanie et al., (2015) same findings reported that Lambda-cyhalothrin caused more than 50% of the larvae population of LDM.In the first spray of the second year the maximum pest population reduction % was recorded by the application of Lambda this is with the similar work of (Arthurs et al., 2007) documented nearly 74% in Cydia pomonella population reduction.In the second spray, the pest population reduction % was counted by the application of Lambda, Massimo et al., (2008) reported a 67% population reduction of Ostrinia nubilalis through the application of pyrethroid insecticides.In the third spray, Deltamethrin and Lambda were found effective on the pest population.Our results are more or less comparable with the published work of (Addisu et al., 2022) they tested dimethoate, malathion, Lambda-cyhalothrin, Alphacypermethrin, diazinon and deltamethrin against Spodoptera fugiperda and all insecticides found most effective against the pest population and (Zienab et al., 2022) evaluated the tree of date palm consumption.Throughout the sprays, in both years Deltamethrin and Lambda found with maximum efficacy against LDM but the wide application of insecticides enhance the resistance power in pesticides.The exploitation of biological controlling agents and biosynthetic control measures are the best protective measures.

Conclusion
To combat the larvae population of the lesser date moth, all tested insecticides, Lambda, Boxer, Spinosad, and Deltamethrin insecticide were found effective to manage the pest population reduction % of LDM.The Deltamethrin and Lambda proved with maximum efficacy power compared to Boxer and Spinosad.Under the IPM program, these mentioned insecticides are with an important role but further research has been needed to test the LDM population.

Recommendations
It is recommended that the agri-ecosystem of this area is enriched with natural enemies these biological controlling agents should be enhanced through the help of IPM fruitful strategies.This type of scientific documentary will be an informative tool for date palm growers in this area because there is a big gap in awareness regarding this potential pest.It is further suggested the pruning of date palm old branches and fallen fruits of the dates should be removed and with light clothes and mass trapping new bunches should be covered again for better management and eco-friendly techniques that should be applied against this destructive pest.