جواد ناظمی رفیع

Nowadays, the invention and application of agricultural pest control non-chemical methods is one of the important and practical ones in pest management programs in most societies of the world. Meanwhile, a large number of studies have been focused on bio-based pesticides. In this regard, new formulations of plant insecticides have been developed as a suitable alternative to artificial pesticides. In this research, respiratory and contact toxicity of pure and formulated Eucalyptus globulus Labill. essential oil and respiratory toxicity durability of its essential oil nanocapsules on adult insects of Tribolium confusum Herbest. (Col., Tenebrionidae) were investigated under laboratory conditions. According to the results, for respiratory toxicity, the pure and formulated essential oil LC50 at 24 h was obtained 46.39 and 1472 μl.l-1 of air, respectively. The formulated essential oil LT50 in three concentrations of LC25, LC50, and LC90 was determined 12.3, 10.39, and 0.36 days, respectively. The results also showed that the contact toxicity of formulated essential oil (LC50= 19030 μl.l-1) on this insect was much higher than the contact toxicity of pure one (LC50= 3770 μl.l-1). Therefore, due to the good stability of the formulated essential oil in respiratory toxicity and the excellent effect in contact toxicity, after additional tests, eucalyptus essential oil nanocapsules could be used in the management of this important pest.

The green oak leafroller moth, Tortrix viridana Linnaeus, 1758 (Lep. Tortricidae) is one of the key pests on Quercus spp. The larval instars of the moth feed on the developing buds and the leaves and cause oak  trees to be leafless completely,  significantly damaging the oak forest of northwestern Iran each year. The genetic differences in the host plant associated populations of oak leafroller moth have been assessed in the oak forests of northwestern Iran using inter-simple sequence repeat markers (ISSR). In this study 171 specimens representing nineteen populations feeding on various oak tree species including Quercus branti Lindl. 1840, Quercus infectoria Oliv. 1801 and Quercus libani Oliv. 1801 were investigated. Results indicated that populations related to Q. libani had the highest genetic diversity, while populations related to Q. branti and Q, infectoria had lower genetic diversity. Assessment of genetic structure of the populations showed that higher diversity was demonstrated in intrapopulations (92%) than interpopulations (8%) geographically, while strongly significant host-associated differentiation was also indicated by Approximate Bayesian Computation analyses among populations, with major clusters corresponded to the three species of host plants. These findings revealed that the host plant association can have a stronger effect on the genetic variations among the populations of T. viridana than the geographical barriers.

The samples of honeybee workers were collected from 26 areas from Iran. The aim of this research was to evaluate the ND1 (630 bp) and ND5 (630 bp) genes for differentiation of Iranian honeybees (A. m. meda) from commercial subspecies (A. m. carnica, A. m. ligustica, A. m. caucasica and A. m. mellifera). The ND1 and ND5 squences of Iranian honeybees and other honeybee subspecies were evaluated using bayesian and parsiminy methods. ND1 and ND5 showed eight and five haplotypes in populations of Iranian honeybees. Using bayesian method, four clades were identified in Iranian honeybees of phylogenetic tree derived from ND1 gene. The first to fourth clades included haplotype 1 (Golestan, Southern Khorasan, Kordestan, Lorestan and Mazandaran), haplotype 2 (Siatan Balochestan), haplotype 3 (Yazd and Eilam), haplotype 4 (Ardabil), haplotype 5 (Kerman), haplotype 6 (Zanjan), haplotype 7 (Kermanshah) and haplotype 8 (Boshehr, Western Azarbayejan, Charmahal Bakhtiari, Qazvin, Qom, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Razavi Khorasan, Northern Khorasan, Kohkeloye Boyerahmad, Khozestan, Markazi, Semnan and Fars). The phylogenetic trees drived from bayesian and parsimony methods demonstrated more ability of ND1 gene in comparison with ND5 gene; ND1 gene differntiated Iranian honeybees from commercial honeybee subspecies. Furthermore, using parsimony method, more informative sites were identified in ND1 in comparison with ND5 gene. Principle component analysis (PCA) confirmend phylogenetic trees of ND1 drived from bayesian and parsimny methods and phylogenetic tree of ND5 drived from bayesian method. Moreover, PCA demonstrated more efficiency of ND1 in differentiation of evolutionary lineages (Z-subgroup, A, C and M) in comparison with ND5 gene.

For the identification of phylogenetic characteristics of honeybee populations, sampling was conducted from 31 provinces of Iran in spring and summer 2016. Phylogenetic characteristics were evaluated based on mitochondrial ND2 gene. The intergenic regions between ND2 and COI genes were compared in different populations of honeybees. After sequencing and alignment of the genes, the relationships among populations were analyzed by MrBayes 3.2 and PAUP 4.0 b10 softwares. Eight nucleotide differences were found among Iranian populations of honey bee (A. m.meda). The phylogenetic tree was drawn and Iranian populations of honeybee (A.m.meda) were divided into four groups. The results showed that samples of East Azarbaijan and Yazd were separated from other honeybee populations. In addition, these two honeybee populations had the highest intergenic region (ITS2 with 70 nucleotides). Not only, populations of Charmahal Bakhtiari, Tehran, Sistan and Blochestan, Mazandaran, Lorestan, Kordestan, Kermanshah, Kohkeloye and Boyerahmad, Southern Khorasan, Ilam, Golestan and Gazvin were grouped with each other but also, ITs2 lengths of these populations were 62 bp. ITs2 Lengths were 59 to 70 bp. ITs1 lengths were 20 bp except syriaca subspecies. The shortest length of intergenic region was related with ITs3 (with two nucleotides AT). Populations of Ardabil, Zanjan and Kerman were grouped with bootstrap of 91 percent. Additionally, populations of Alborze, Northern Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, Esfahan, Shiraz, Semnan, Markazi, Khozestan, Hormozgan, Hamedan, Qom, Boshehr and Western Azarbayejan were grouped with each other. The honeybee populations were compared using two-parameter Kimura method. Results demonstrated that there was no nucleotide difference between Gilan population and A. m.carnica subspecies. The collected samples from Gilan were not A.m.meda subspecies and were grouped with A.m.carnica subspecies. A.m.carnica is not a native subspecies therefore honeybee queens have been imported illegally by some beekeepers. A.m.intermissa and A.m.scutellata showed the most genetic distance (0.01) in comparison with Iranian populations of honeybee (A.m.meda). Population comparisons of Alborz, Shiraz, Semnan, Markazi, Khozestan, Hormozgan, Hamedan, Qom, Boshehr and Western Azarbayejan showed that there was no genetic difference among populations. The phylogenetic tree could differentiate syriaca, intermissa, scutellata and mellifera subspecies from carnica and meda subspecies based on ND2 gene. Moreover, A.m.ligustica was differentiated from A.m.carnica with a substitution C→T.

Nowadays, the first stage of breeding is determination of honeybee races. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) include 24 different subspecies. The most subspecies of A. mellifera have been classified according to morphological characteristics; thus morphological characteristics have an important role in the classification of honey bees. Morphometric comparison of important morphological characteristics of Iranian honeybee, Apis mellifera meda Skorikov, was determined in Kurdistan province. Sampling was conducted from Sanandaj, Dehgolan, Ghorveh, Divandareh, Saghez, Marivan, saravabad, baneh, Bijar and Kamyaran in 2013. Ten morphological characteristics were used for discriminating the population of honeybees. Results showed that honeybee population of Dehgolan area (altitude 1938.5 m, 35º 5´ 47º 36´) had the longest front wing (9.156 mm), hind leg (7.826 mm) and proboscis (6.356 mm). Correlations between morphological characteristics were evaluated. There was a correlation between characteristics of length and width of the right forewing (r2 =0.76, p Material and Samples were collected in 2013. Worker honeybees were preserved in pomple solution. Morphological characteristics including forewing and hind wing lengths, A4, D7, G18, cubital index, proboscis length, hind leg length, third and fourth abdominal segment lengths dorsally and Index of abdominal segment dorsally were measured. The data was analyzed by MANOVA. Dendrogram was drawn by UPGMA method.
Results showed that samples of Dehgolan, Divandareh and Sarvabad were discriminated from other populations. Analyses of cluster of ten morphological characteristics segregated ten sampled populations to four groups. In addition, Dehgolan area had the longest front wing (9.156 mm), hind leg (7.826 mm) and proboscis (6.356 mm) lengths. Comparisons of samples demonstrated that honey bee subspecies was A.m.meda.
A. mellifera subspecies contain different ecotypes, so they can be used as important sources in breeding. Honeybee subspecies of A.m.meda is native of Iran. This subspecies is distributed in different geographical areas of Iran. Unfortunately, some beekeepers import exotic subspecies such as A.m.carnica illegally. Imports of these subspecies have caused to create hybrid subspecies. Indigenous populations of honeybees are considered as genetic resources and much effort should be made to preserve these populations.

Nowadays, the classification of organisms is based on the concepts of population. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) consist of more than 24 different subspecies. The most subspecies were classified based on morphological characters. Sampling was conducted from 10 areas, including Kermanshah, Songhor, Sahneh, Kangavar, Harsin, Paveh, Javanrood, Eslamabadghrb, Sarpolzahab and Gilangharb in 2014 in Kermanshah Province .In this study, ten morphological characteristics were used for discriminating of populations. The results indicated that the population of sampled bees from the Songhor, had the shortest length and width forewing (8.3mm and 2.9mm, respectively), and the longest proboscis (6.8mm). Correlations between morphological characteristics were studied. There was significant difference between characteristics of length and width of forewing (r2 =0.74, p=0.00) and lengths of index Cubital and hind leg (r2 =0.57, p=0.00). Discriminate functional analysis (DFA) differentiated 60.07 % of 10 area populations. Additionally, cluster analysis with UPGMA method separated two honeybee populations of Songhor and Harsin from other population completely.

This study was conducted to investigate commercial formulations of insecticides against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande).The insects were collected from commercial greenhouses of cucumber in Varamin, Iran. The tested insecticides were diazinon (EC 60%), cypermethrin (EC 40%), fipronil (EC 2.5%), imidacloprid (SC 35%) and a botanical insecticide oxymatrine (Kingbo, AS 0.6%). Fipronil had the highest efficacy among all tested insecticides (LC50 = 17.97 ppm). However, imidacloprid had the lowest efficacy (LC50 = 2303 ppm). The oxymatrine was effective (LC50 = 69.94 ppm) after fipronil.

The wheat bug, Eurygaster integriceps (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae), is one of the major wheat pests causing high yield loss in terms of wheat production in the Iran. Morphometric differentiations may explain biogeographic distinctions among populations of a given species.The shape variations of female and male adults were evaluated by 12 morphometric indexes. Sampling was conducted in May and July of 2012 in Kurdistan Province. 30 samples of female adults and 30 samples of male adults were sampled from each of selected areas (sum 600 samples from 10 areas). Results showed that female adults divided to three clusters. Female adults were larger than male adults. Female population collected from Ghorve area had the maximum length (12.11±0.05) and width (7.64±0.03) of body, length (3.3±0.02) and width (7.27±0.02) of pronotum and width of scutellum (5.25±0.02 mm). Results of discriminant analysis (DFA) showed that female adults can differentiate populations (36.7%) more that male adults (32.7%). cluster analysis differentiated female and male populations completely by UPGMA method.

Torymidae is one of the largest families of parasitoid waps. During this study which is conducted during 2010-2012, 14 species of the family Torymidae (Hym.: Chalcidoidea) were collected from Kurdistan Province, of which, one genus and six species were new records for Iranian fauna. The genus Torymoides Walker is new record for Iranian torymid fauna. New records were listed. Microdontomerus albipes (Giraud), Pseudotorymus leguminus Ruschka, P. salviae Ruschka, P. sapphyrinus (Fonscolombe), Podagrion minus Strand, and Torymoides dispar (Masi).

Lobesia botrana causes heavy damage on grape in Kurdistan province and Iran every year. Because of damage of this pest on grape varieties in Kurdistan province، this research was conducted with prepared delta traps and lures by Swedish Agricultural University. Results showed that the pest has three generations in every year. The flight peak of adult moths was assessed in 2011-2012. The flight peaks were 30th May، 27th June and 11th august in sanandaj، 20th May، 14th July and 19th August in Saghez، 23th April، 3th July and 20th September in Sarvabad town (Marivan). Also، population density of adults (in Sanandaj، saghez and Sarvabad)، effect of different concentrations of sexual pheromone (in Marivan) and effect of grape variety (in Saghez) on pest adults was compared. There was significant difference between populations of the pest adults in Sanandaj، saghez and Marivan. Among the sexual pheromone concentrations of 0. 01، 0. 1 and 1 mg، concentration of 1 mg had the most attractiveness on Adults of Lobesia botrana. There was significant difference on attractiveness of the pest adults between grape varieties of Askari، Rashe، Farhki and Bidaneh ghermez.

Pteromalidae (Hym.: Chalcidoidea) is one of the largest families of parasitoid wasps. This family includes some important natural enemies of many harmful insects in orders such as Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera and Hemiptera. This research was conducted in Kurdistan Province (in the West of Iran) in 2010 and 2011. Five species of pteromalid wasps has been collected as new records from Iran: Asaphes vulgaris Walker, 1934, Halticoptera longipetiolus Hedqvist, 1975, Oodera monstrum (Nikol’skaya, 1952), Stenoselma nigrum Delucchi, 1956 and Conomorium amplum Walker, 1935.

The family of Pteromalidae (Hym: Chalcidoidea) is one of the largest families of Parasitic wasp. Members of this family wasp comprise of important natural enemies of many harmful insects in major insect orders such as Coleoptera، Diptera، Lepidoptera، Hymenoptera and Homoptera; Therefore they have an important role in biological control of agricultural pests. The chalcid wasps belonging to this family was collected in kurdistan Province (in the West of Iran) during 2010 and 2011. Three Species of collected Pteromalidae wasp has been reported as new records from Iran. Species of Oodera monsterum (Nikolskaya، 1952)، Stenoselma nigrum (Delucchi، 1956) and Conomorium amplum (Walker، 1935) was reported as new records from Iran.

Red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum isa major pest of stored products especially cereal flour depreciating the quantity and quality of the food economically. The application of repellents could be considered as a new control method in storage. In this study repellent activity of extracts from leaf, red and white flowers of Nerium oleander, Lavandula officinalis leaves and Ferula assafoetida gum was assayed on T. castaneum. Experiments were conducted in dark condition at 27±1ºC and 70-80% RH. To determine percentage repellency (PR), filter paper disks were impregnated with different concentrations of plant extracts. Each filter paper was divided into two equal parts. Then, each half-disk was separately added by extract dilutions (1.99, 3.98, 11.94, 19.90 and 27.78 μl/cm2) or acetone as control. Each treated half-disk was then attached lengthwise edge-to-edge, to a control half-disk with adhesive tape and placed in a petri dish (8cm diam.). Twenty adult insects were released in the middle of each filter paper, and the insects that settled on each half, were counted after 1 h and then at hourly intervals for 5h. The results showed that the repellency of Ferula gum was significantly higher than that of remaining extracts. The highest PR (98.75%) was observed in the Ferula gum in the concentration of 27.78 μl/cm2. While, the lowest PR (5.5%) was shown in the Lavandula leaf extract in 1.99 μl/cm2. Repellency increased with concentration in all cases, the repellent effect did not decreased with time over the 5-h experimental period.