Feasibility study of suitable regions for release of Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) by feeding on pomegranate green aphid Aphis punicae Pass with using Geographic Information Systems in Yazd province

Ladybird, Menochilus sexmaculatus (Col .: Coccinelidae) is an important predator of pests in Iran’s gardens. Based on the expert’s comments, many studies and information resources, the factors such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, altitude and nutrition are considered as the most important criteria determining the zone which are suitable for six spot ladybird’s release. According to the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and 10.1ArcCatalog ArcMap10.1 software, the Arc GIS sub software was used for establishment of a spatial database and analysis related to the areas which are appropriate for the release of predator M. sexmaculatus. Moreover, the extensions of ET Geo Wizards, Hawth’s Analysis Tools, and Xtools2 were applied for accurate data and information entrance. The results of this study show that approximately 35 percent of Yazd province considering to the potentials of temperature, humidity, rainfall, altitude and nutrition requirements are quite suitable for the release of six spot ladybirds. A likely explanation is that these areas are situated between mountains and plains where cause to intensify pressure difference and create air stream from the mountain to the plains and vice versa. . Also, about 60 percent of the areas were completely unsuitable for release of predator. A likely reason for this might be attributed to very high temperatures and lack of adequate prey for nutrition.