Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
A field study was conducted in the fields of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences at the University of Baghdad in Al-Jadriya during the 2018 agricultural season. The objective was to survey the population densities of pests affecting broccoli (Brassica oleracea). The results revealed that the broccoli plants in the open field were affected by various pests. On September 24, the highest density of two-spotted red mite (Tetranychus urticae) eggs reached 35 eggs per leaf. On November 12, the highest density of mite nymphs was recorded at 28 nymphs per leaf. The leaf miner, Liriomyza sativae, exhibited the highest density of 23 tunnels per leaf on September 17. Additionally, the highest density of whitefly nymphs (Bemisia tabaci) was observed on October 1 and November 17, reaching 29 nymphs per leaf. The results also indicated the presence of the aphid lion, Chrysoperla carnea, as a natural enemy. Furthermore, the parasitoid Diglyphus isaea was found on the leaf miner, while the parasitoid Eretmocerus mundus was identified on the whitefly. Therefore, understanding the species of pests and their density attacking agricultural crops is crucial. This knowledge allows for the release of natural enemies in the field to mitigate pest infestations.
Fliah et al. (Wed,) studied this question.