The role of natural enemies in control of the mulberry whitefly population (Hem., Aleyrodidae) in Tehran green spaces

In the summer of 2014, the outbreak of Aleuroclava jasmini sensu lato (Hem., Aleyrodidae) on white mulberry trees in the urban green spaces of Tehran caused a disturbance for the citizens in the parks and streets. By formation of the monitoring and surveillance network, while providing non–chemical strategies for mulberry whitefly management, the natural enemies of this pest were identified. Later, the trend of changes in the host and its parasitoid populations was determined during 2017–2019. Among the 19 species of natural enemies of the mulberry whitefly  collected from different orders and families of insects and mites, two species of parasitoid were identified as Encarsia strenua (Silvestri) and Eretmocerus sp. nr trialeurodis Hayat (Hym., Aphelinidae). The study of immature stages and adult whitefly population and monitoring the exact time and place of presence and activity of parasitoids of the pest, showed that during the last five years, the population of mulberry whitefly has been inhibited by forming a natural balance and 71.16 and 45.4% parasitism on mulberry and olive trees, respectively. Meanwhile, olive trees play an important role in maintaining the parasitoid population of this whitefly in autumn and winter. Therefore, in urban green space ecosystems, the avoidance of using chemical pesticides is highly emphasized for the preservation and sustainability of predators and parasitoids.