First report of Popillia japonica in Iraq
Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Rutelidae – EPPO A2 List) is first reported in Iraq. The pest was reported causing severe damage on soybean (Glycine max), a new crop for Iraq. The identity of the pest was confirmed by morphological and molecular tests.
The phylogenetic analysis showed that the local isolate of P. japonica was identical to or very close to isolates from Canada, China and the USA.
Further studies are needed to assess the presence of P. japonica on other crops and in other regions of Iraq.
Sources
Fadel AR, Sadiq FH, Lilo HM (2026) Molecular diagnosis of Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica larvae infesting soybean crop in Iraq. Arab Journal of Plant Protection 44(1), 115-118. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001368