Pheromone traps deployed in Habbaniyah to combat invasive fruit fly

ANBAR — Agricultural authorities in Habbaniyah have installed pheromone traps across 750 dunams (about 185 acres) of orchards in the Khalidiya Island area in an effort to control an invasive fruit fly species that has recently damaged crops across Iraq.

The campaign, led by the Habbaniyah Agriculture Division, targets both the general fruit fly and the peach fruit fly — pests not previously common in Iraq that are now causing significant losses in fruit quality and quantity.

“These insects are new to Iraq and have been causing direct damage to fruit,” said Shaker Ismail, an agricultural specialist. “The traps are pheromone-based and attract male flies to prevent them from mating with females.”

A pheromone trap uses synthetic versions of insect sex pheromones — typically mimicking female scent — to lure male pests, which are then captured. Preventing mating helps reduce the pest population without relying on chemical pesticides.

“This method helps protect human health and preserves beneficial species that play a role in pest control,” Ismail said.

Osama Qais, head of the Habbaniyah Agriculture Division, confirmed that the traps were installed during a recent field campaign covering the affected orchards. “This campaign aims to limit the spread of the insect, which is a recent invader in Iraq,” he said.

Officials say the effort is part of a broader strategy to adopt environmentally friendly pest control methods while safeguarding Iraq’s agricultural production.

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