EPPO Bulletin (2020) 50, 191-196

K. Abbes, A. Zouba, A. Harbi, N. Ghrissi, M. Ksantini and B. Chermiti (2020)
The pomegranate butterfly Deudorix livia (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): an emerging pest on dates in Tunisia
EPPO Bulletin 50 (1), 191-196
Abstract: The pomegranate butterfly Deudorix (=Virachola) livia Klug 1834 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) was encountered for the first time infesting dates (Phoenix dactylifera, variety Deglet Nour) in the oasis of Gafsa, Southern Tunisia in September 2011. Larvae of D. livia only caused damage on date fruits at the phenological stages kimiri (green fruits) and khalal (yellow fruits). The average infestation rate of dates was 10%. In addition, 7.1% of the infested fruits dropped to the ground. Damage caused by this insect on dates is described, the current situation in Tunisia is provided and possible control methods in Tunisia are briefly discussed. Although this pest has previously been reported in Tunisia on pomegranate this is the first report of D. livia on dates in the country.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Khaled Abbes, Brahim Chermiti

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Deudorix livia	Pomegranate (Punica granatum)	Tunisia
	Deudorix livia	Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera)	Tunisia