Potosia opaca Fabricius 1787 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae): A new pest on date palm (Phoenix dactylifera l.) from Algerian Oases

In Algeria, date palm cultivation is the most important speculation in the South-East of the country. Since 2012, the Ziban oases have been attacked by a new pest detected on palm trees of the Deglet Nour variety. The xylophagous larvae of this insect destroy the fibrillium commonly called “Lif” in the axils of the palms. This damage is responsible for the phenomenon of palms subsidence observed in palm groves. Based on sampling of L2 and L3 larvae, a mass rearing was conducted to characterize and identify this pest after adult’s emergence. The results of this study allowed the identification of a new species of beetle dependent on the date palm Potosia (Protaetia) opaca Fabricius, 1787 belonging to the Scarabaeidae family and the Cetoniinae subfamily. The morphometric measurements carried out on the different stages of development allowed the characterization of the second and third larval stages, the nymph, the cocoon and the adult of P. opaca. More in-depth studies are needed on the bioecology and the extent of the damage of this pest in order to establish an adequate control program.