Study on biology and distribution of biocontrol agents of the knapweed Acroptilon repens L. in South Khorasan and introduction of Metzneria paucipunctella (Zeller, 1839) (Lep.: Gelechiidae) for Iran

During 2011 and 2012, field studies were conducted in different parts of the South of khorasan, where contaminated to Russian knapweed to find its natural enemies. Three insect species Urophora xanthippe (Dip.: Tephritidae) and Metzneria paucipunctella Zeller (Lep.: Gelechiidae) and Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi, 1794 (Dip.: Tephritidae( were identified. M. paucipunctella (Zeller, 1839) (Lep. Gelechiidae) is introduced for the first time for Iran and U. xanthippe (Munro, 1934) for the first time for fauna of Khorasan. Results showed that overwintering larvae of U. xanthippe become pupae in early May and converted to adult after 7/13 (d). Adults emerge from pupae and mate after 3 (h) with no feeding. Due to the high potential of head flies in reducing the number of seeds and also due to the limited host range of the knapweed, the insect can be used in biological control of knapweed.