Efficiency and economic feasibility of using Neonicotinoids against Flat-headed borer Chrysobothris affinis (Fabricius, 1794) (Buprestidae: Coleoptera) infesting Jujube orchards in Basra Province, Iraq

A field study evaluated the efficiency and economic feasibility of using three Neonicotinoids to control Flat-headed borers infesting Jujube orchards in Basra Province during 2020 and 2021. The insecticides tested were Acetamiprid, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam, with recommended field application rates. This study showed that Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid provided the best protection to jujube trees, reflected in the high average efficiency (88.70% and 93.40%, respectively). Acetamiprid and Thiamethoxam enhanced the production, with an average of 60.10 and 60.00 kg/tree, respectively, compared to 39.50 kg of the check trees. Thus, the study showed the highest economic return from controlling the flat-headed borers using Acetamiprid and Thiamethoxam (5714900 and 5676500 dinars/ dunum, respectively). In contrast, the economic returns of Imidacloprid were 5082900 Iraqi dinars/ dunum. These results confirmed that the high economic feasibility was related to the efficacy of the low-cost insecticides in reducing the fruit infestation rate and increasing the yield. Keywords: Buprestidae; Insecticides; flat-headed borers; Economic visibility; Neonicotinoids.