فاطمه یار احمدی

Given the widespread impact of COVID-19 and its high death rate among healthcare workers.

this study aims to assess the relationship between coronavirus-related anxiety, death anxiety, and emotional intelligence in nurses.

This analytical cross-sectional study focused on nurses at government medical centers in Borujerd city in 2019, comprising a sample of 106 participants selected through simple random sampling. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the data, while correlation tests assessed the relationships among COVID-19 anxiety, death anxiety, and emotional intelligence. Linear regression was applied to evaluate the impact of demographic variables, death anxiety, and emotional intelligence on COVID-19 anxiety (P < 0.05).

A significant positive correlation was found between the anxiety scores related to COVID-19 and death anxiety among nurses (P<0.001). Conversely, there was a significant negative correlation between the COVID-19 anxiety scores and the emotional intelligence scores of the nurses (P<0.001).

Given the significant positive correlation between coronavirus anxiety and death anxiety in nurses, as well as the significant negative correlation between coronavirus anxiety and emotional intelligence, it is recommended to leverage emotional intelligence to mitigate anxiety related to the coronavirus and subsequent death anxiety.

Among the different pests of wheat, cereal aphids are considered important pests that cause economic damage at high densities. Induced resistance by using some chemical and natural products can be an effective tool to control these pests in an integrated pest management (IPM) program. In this study, the effects of some potential resistance inducers, salicylic acid (SA), calcium silicate (CaSi), potassium silicate (PSi) and tea aquatic extract, on some cereal aphid populations were investigated under field conditions. Based on the results, almost no significant difference was observed between the potential resistance inducer treatments and the control on most sampling dates. The obtained results showed that there was no significant difference between the yield parameters, e.g., wheat spike length, spike numbers/m2, seed numbers/m2, seed numbers/spike, 1000 seed weight, wheat plant length, total spike weight/m2 and total seed weight/ha, between the potential resistant inducer treatments and the control. The analysis of defensive compounds like hydrogen peroxide and flavonoids, along with the activities of defensive enzymes peroxidase and catalase showed that there is no significant difference in the flavonoid and peroxide contents of plants treated with CaSi, PSi, SA, and tea extract. The peroxidase activity assay also indicated no significant difference among the treatments. Furthermore, although plants treated with PSi showed the lowest catalase activity compared to the other treatments, there was no significant difference in peroxidase activities among plants treated with the resistance inducers and control. Therefore, the study indicated that resistance inducers are not significantly effective in the pest control.

The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, is a potential pest that threatens green landscape in Ahvaz. In this study, the short-term and long-term effects of various insecticides (imidacloprid, diazinon, spinosad, Palizin®, and azadirachtin) on the populations of cotton mealybugs and predatory ladybird beetles, Nephus sp. and Hyperaspis sp., as well as on the parasitism rate of cotton mealybug by Aenasius bambawalei Hayat, were investigated under field conditions. The results of the bioassay at 24 h after treatment showed that imidacloprid (84.6%), diazinon (84.1%), and Palizin® (77.4%) significantly reduced the population of mealybugs compared to the control. The decrease effect of azadirachtin on the population density of cotton mealybugs 24 h after treatment was not significant (38.1% compared to the control). Furthermore, diazinin and azadirachtin had the greatest negative impacts (100% reduction compared to the control), and Palizin® had the least toxicity to ladybirds, with no significant difference compared to the control treatment. The long-term effects of the tested insecticides showed that, compared with the other treatments, imidacloprid and Palizin® had significant effects on reducing the pest population. Palizin® and azadirachtin had the least effect on the parasitism activity of Aenasius bambawalei. Both imidacloprid and insecticidal soap were more effective at reducing the P. solenopsis population than were the other treatments, but due to the greater negative effect of imidacloprid than of insecticidal soap on natural enemies and the limitation of using insecticides in green landspaces, insecticide soap is suggested for use in IPM programs for this pest.

Health-promoting behaviors include actions that lead to empowering people to increase their control over health and ultimately improve the health of the individual and society. Nurses are among the members of the health-care team who are responsible to the clients The realization of this important issue requires the health of the nurse herself.

The aim of this study was to investigate health-promoting behaviors and related factors in nurses. 

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 322 nurses working in Sanandaj Educational and Medical Centers in 2019, were selected by stratified random sampling. In order to collect data, demographic Information questionnaire and a standard Walker-promoting lifestyle questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16, descriptive statistics, linear Regression and Pearson correlation coefficient.

The mean scores of health-promoting behaviors of nurses were 134.62±20.92. The majority of nurses (54.30%) were in the moderate group in terms of health-promoting behaviors. The variables of first child, age, work experience and chronic illness had a statistically significant effect on the total score of health-promoting behaviors (P<0.001).

The results of the present study showed that performing health-promoting behaviors of nurses is at a moderate level. It is suggested to organize training courses on health promoting behaviors for nurses, in health-care centers and universities. By knowing the factors affecting these behaviors, the awareness of nurses will increase and an important step should be taken to maintain their health.

Microcerotermes diversus Silvestri, is an important termite in Khuzestan province with a broad range of foraging. In recent years, control of underground termites has been more based on the application of chemicals which has increased pest insecticide resistance. In this study, the resistance of different populations of termites to chlorpyrifos was investigated using estimated LC50 and measuring the activity of two acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione-s-transferase enzymes. Four populations of M. diversus with different histories of organophosphorus insecticide spraying were studied. Populations A (Am Altamir1), B (Am Altamir2), and C (Mollasani) were collected from date palm groves with 30 and 10-year histories of organophosphorus insecticide spraying, as well as without spraying history, respectively. Population D (Ramin University) was collected from orange trees, three weeks after spraying with chlorpyrifos. The bioassay results showed that the highest and lowest LC50 values were observed in populations A and C, respectively. Moreover, the activity of AChE using acetylthiocholine iodide, propionylthiocholine iodide, and butyrylthiocholine iodide substrates was higher in the populations with chlorpyrifos spraying history, with the highest activity in population A. It was also demonstrated that the AChE activity with acetylthiocholine iodide substrate was higher than the activity of this enzyme with butyrylthiocholine iodide and the propionyl choline substrates in the populations with 30 and 10-year history of spraying. The Michaelis constant (Km) and maximum velocity (Vmax) values of AChE as two important kinetic factors, indicated the highest affinity of this enzyme to the substrate in population A.

The oriental spider mite, Eutetranychus orientalis Klein (Acari: Tetranychidae), is an important pest of Indian siris and some other trees in Ahvaz’s green landscape. By feeding on the Indian siris leaves, this pest causes leaf fall, reducing the aesthetic and green surface and its resistance to other potential pests and diseases. One of the important strategies to control the pest is application of acaricides. The choosing the efficient and safer acaricides plays critical role considering the daily contact of a large number of citizens with the urban green space. In this research, the short-term and long-term effectiveness of four pesticides abamectin, Palizin®, etoxazole, and Nimazal® which are all low-risk pesticides for humans and mammals, at concentrations 0.5, 2, 0.5, and 1 (L/1000 L), were evaluated to control the pest mite population in a field study, respectively. For this purpose, the population of nymphs and adults of this mite was recorded on the treated trees 1 day before, 2, 7, 14, and 21 days after treatment and statistically compared with the control treatment where the trees were treated only with water. This study showed that abamectin and etoxazole had very favorable short-term and long-term effects on E. orientalis population. Although Palizin® led to the control of the pest in the short term, it did not have a favorable long-term protective effect, and as a result, the treatment of trees has to be repeated in order to properly control the pest. Nimazal® also showed its effect with two to three weeks lag time and this effect was relatively lower than abamectin and etoxazole.

The Pseudomonas bacteria include many species with different characteristics. Some species of the genus are considered as the plant growth stimulants. Recently, the potentials of the bacteria to insect pest control has been documented. In this study, the lethal effects of three strains, Pseudomonas protegens CHA0, P. soli VF16, and P. persica VKh13 to eggs and larvae of Anagasta keuhniella (Zeller) (Lep., Pyralidae) as an important stored product pest was studied. For this purpose, two concentrations of each strain, 0.2 and 0.5 OD at the wavelength of light of 600 nm, were provided and the 5th instar larvae and eggs of A. keuhniella were treated and the mortalities were recorded after 24h. Statistical investigations indicated that the strain P. protogens CHA has the highest mortality rate (79.16%) and after that, the strain P. soli VF16 (64.15%). Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the strain P. persica VKh13 has not the insecticidal property. The bacterial efficacy at suspension concentration 0.5 OD was significantly more than 0.2 OD. No significant difference was observed between susceptibility of the pest larva and eggs to different investigated strains in the study. The highest mortality was observed in application of the concentration 0.5 OD of P. protogens CHA on the pest larvae. Olfactory trials indicated that the female parasitoid wasps, Habrabracon hebetor, significantly avoided from treated larvae by all of the three strains. The results can be used for developing the microbial control of the pest.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in many countries of the world, including Iran, the stress caused by this disease has affected different groups, including the elderly. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between corona anxiety, death anxiety and spiritual intelligence in the elderly of Lorestan province in 2020.

In this cross-sectional study, the statistical population consisted of all the elderly residents of the nursing home of Lorestan province in 2020, who were included in the study according to the inclusion criteria. Then demographic information, COVID-19 anxiety, death anxiety and spiritual intelligence questionnaires were provided to them for completion. Descriptive statistics, the calculation of central and dispersion indices for quantitative variables and frequency and percentage for qualitative variables were used to describe the data. Correlation tests were used to measure the linear relationship between the anxiety of coronavirus disease, the anxiety of death and spiritual intelligence. Data analysis was done in Stata 14 software.

A direct, positive and significant correlation was observed between the anxiety score of the coronavirus disease and death anxiety in the elderly (P<0.001), but a negative and direct and significant correlation was observed between the anxiety score of the corona disease and the score of spiritual intelligence in the elderly (P<0.001). 0.001) Also, a negative and significant correlation was observed between the anxiety score of the coronavirus disease and other items of spiritual intelligence, including critical existential thinking, production of personal meaning, transcendental awareness, and expansion of the state of consciousness in the elderly (P<0.001).

According to the results of the study, spiritual intelligence training can be effective in reducing the anxiety of contracting coronavirus disease and the subsequent anxiety of death.

The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsely (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is an important pest of many plants in agroecosystems and urban green landscapes. In this study, potential of three isolates of Akanthomyces lecanii, isolates PAL6, PAL7, and PAL8, and an isolate of A. muscarius, isolate GAM5, to microbial biocontrol of this pest on Coleus blumei, as the pest host plant, were investigated under greenhouse conditions. The infested host plants to five last instar nymphs were treated using different conidial suspension concentrations (104,105, 106, 107, and 108 conidia/mL) of each isolate and the mealybug mortalities were recorded every day, for eight days. The mortalities were varied from 14.3% (isolate PAL7) to 1.79% (isolate PAL8). The highest mortality was observed in concentration of 108 conidia/mL of the pathogens. The highest mortality caused by the pathogens was recorded six days after treatment. Totally, conidial suspension concentration of 108 conidia/mL from A. lecanii PAL7 was the best candidate for microbial biocontrol of the mealybug among the pathogens causing 56.17% mortality in the pest population six days after treatment. The results can be used for developing microbial biocontrol of the cotton mealybug especially in greenhouse conditions.

Hemodialysis affects the health status and individual roles of patients and affects their quality of life. Therefore, it is important to investigate different educational methods to improve the quality of life of hemodialysis patients. This research was conducted with the aim of comparing the effect of individual and peer education on the quality of life of hemodialysis patients.

In this semi-experimental research, 32 hemodialysis patients from “Shahid Rahimi” and “Shohadaye Ashayer” educational centers of Khorramabad city were selected as available and then randomly divided into two individual and peer groups. After training the peers, 4 peer training sessions were conducted for the peer training group over the course of a month. Individual training was conducted by the researcher for 15 to 20 minutes in 4 sessions during one month. The data were collected before the intervention, immediately after the intervention and one month after the intervention using the questionnaire of demographic characteristics and quality of life index of France and Powers. Data analysis was done using chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and independent t test in Spss software version 23.

There was a significant difference between the average quality of life scores of the 2 groups of patients over time (P<0.001). Also, there was a significant difference between the average of all aspects of the quality of life of the patients in the group of individual education and peer education over time (P<0.001). These changes from the time before the intervention to immediately after the intervention were not significant (P=0.45). But one month after the intervention, there was a significant increase in the average quality of life score of peer education patients compared to individual education patients (P=0.001).

There was a significant difference between the average of all aspects of the quality of life of individual education and peer education patients over time. Therefore, using peer education as a cost-effective and accessible method can be effective in teaching hemodialysis patients.

Compatibility of pesticides and biological control agents is the main concern of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. The present study focused on the side effects of spirotetramat and chlorpyrifos on the demographic parameters of Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Hym: Encyrtidae). Adult parasitoids were exposed to one ppm of chlorpyrifos and 7.5 ppm of spirotetramat for 24 hours. Then, they were released on the third instar nymphs of the mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hem. Pseudococcidae) and their demography was investigated. The results showed that oviposition period, fecundity, and female and male longevities adversely were affected by both insecticides. However, the adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), the total pre-oviposition period (TPOP), and the number of daily eggs of insect females were not affected significantly. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) was calculated to be 0.16, 0.13, and 0.12 day-1 for control, spirotetramat, and chlorpyrifos treatments, respectively. The results of this study revealed that chlorpyrifos at sublethal concentrations have more negative effects on A. bamabawalei than spirotetramat and need to be applied with caution in IPM programs.

The Black bean aphid (BBA), Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an important pest of agricultural and ornamental plants. Entomopathogenic fungi are important factors in the microbiological control of pests that are considered a good alternative for chemical insecticides. Isolation of novel potential IPF and evaluation of their efficacy against pests are primary steps for achieving a successful microbiological control program. In this study, the efficacies of three Iranian isolates of Akanthomyces lecanii (PAL6, PAL7, and PAL8) and an Iranian isolate of A. muscarius (GAM5) which had been isolated from two hemipteran pests, Pulvinaria aurantii Cock. and Aphis gossypii Glover, respectively, in citrus orchards of west Mazandaran (North of Iran), were evaluated against BBA.

Mortalities of the BBA nymphs and adults caused by different conidial concentrations (104, 105, 106, 107 108 conidia/ mL) of each fungal isolate during other days after treatment (DAT), 1–7 DAT, were determined under laboratory conditions.

All isolates were pathogenic to the aphid causing about 25% mortality. The efficiency of the isolates was not significantly different among the aphid life stages. When the isolate concentrations (up to 55%) and DAT (up to 53.13 times) increased, their effects increased significantly. The highest and lowest mortality rates were observed at concentrations 108 (12.83%) and 104 (5.86%) conidia/ mL, respectively. The highest effectiveness was recorded in seven DAT for all isolates, 15.14% mortality. At one DAT, the isolates caused about 1% mortality in the aphid population with the lowest effectiveness. The highest mortalities were observed for GAM and PAL7 isolates at six DAT, i.e., 16.83 and 16.67%, respectively. Furthermore, the lowest effectiveness was recorded for the isolates GAM and PAL7, at one DAT (<0.1% mortality), respectively.

The isolates had some potentials for microbiological control of the BBA. Time and conidial concentrations, are the critical factors determining the efficacies of the entomopathogenic fungi. The highest effectiveness can be achieved before six DATs. When the conidial concentrations increased, the obtained mortality by the isolates was enhanced. Due to the relatively low efficacies of the EPF and a lag time for getting sufficient mortality, integrated applications of the entomopathogenic fungi with other compatible control agents with faster effects such as biorational insecticides are recommended. However, the laboratory results should be supported with field or semi-field studies before recommending applications of the entomopathogenic fungi against the BBA aphids in greenhouse or field crops.

The professional competence of health personnel depends on adherence to the principles of professional ethics, and given the importance that the issue of professional ethics in natural disasters becomes more important, Therefore this study was conducted to investigate the ethical challenges of health care system personnel in natural disasters.                                                     

This qualitative study was conducted with a conventional content analysis approach. Participants were 38 employees of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences who were present at the Lorestan 1398 flood incident for at least two days to provide relief and willingness to participate in the study. Data were analyzed using in-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews with the aim of understanding non-verbal evidence. The interview guide was used to focus on the content of the interview.

In this study, 38 medical staff of Lorestan province participated in the study. 66% of the participants were women and 44% were men. 37% were married and 63% were single, with a mean age of 42 years. The data were analyzed with 58 initial codes in 15categories and five main themes. The results of data analysis were divided into the following five concepts: Injustice extracted from classes such as inadequate distribution of resources and locations, crisis management deficits resulting from classes such as lack of coordination in service delivery, lack of pre-accident planning, and so on. Delays in the provision of services resulting from classes such as delays in receiving medication and medical services. Responsibility and conscience:  These two concepts were extracted simultaneously with classes such as empathy, compassion and kindness, self-sacrifice, hospitality, humanity, and difficulty in enduring heartbreaking scenes.                                                                                                                          

The crystallization of manifestations of national determination and jihadi will, donations, public presence, empathy and kindness, the beauty of religion and culture in times of national crises are among the strengths obtained in this study. Despite the positives, there were challenges such as inconsistencies between aid centers, lack of adequate planning and training of staff, inequality in the distribution of services and facilities, delays in service delivery, and injustice. It seems that the root of these problems is the lack of scientific planning before, during and after the crisis, the lack of coordination of the responsible bodies during the crisis and the basic problems in the infrastructure. It is suggested that in order to reduce the problems, more studies be done in the field of rooting out the problems and how to eliminate the mentioned shortcomings.

The parasitoid wasp, Telenomus busseolae Gahan (Hymenoptera: Plathygasteridae), has been extensively used to biological control of Sesamia cretica Led. (Hymenoptera: Plathygasteridae) in Khuzestan province, Iran. Due to dramatically population growth of S. cretica, the parasitoid wasp has not effectively controlled the pest during some seasons. Previous studies implicated physical control of S. cretica can be achieved using ultrasound. In this investigation, the effectivness of ultrasound on S. cretica to parasitism ability, sex ratio and distribution pattern of T. busseolae were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Results indicated that the ultrasound at frequency 37.5 KHz and Sin (X) wave shape has not significant effect on the wasp parasitism during various activity days. The parasitoid wasp treatment by the ultrasound did not significantly influenced the wasp sex ratio during 4 generations. Investigation on distribution pattern of exposed wasp showed that the wasp has random pattern, similar to control. The study indicated that T. busseolae cannot distinguish the ultrasound. Therefore, physical control of S. cretica using the ultrasound (at frequency 37.5 KHz and Sin (x) wave shape) has not any antagonistic effect to biological control by T. busseolae and the compatible strategies can be applied in integrated control of S. cretica.

The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an important pest of rapeseed. In this study, the effects of a silicon-based fertilizer, silicate potassium (SP), and salicylic acid (SA) on inducing resistance in rapeseed to the aphid were studied under field conditions. The rapeseed plants were directly sprayed with SP and SA at two application rates, and the population density of alive and parasitized aphids by Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was recorded every three days. The results showed that the aphid population densities in SP and SA treatments were significantly lower than in control (2.21 and 3.53 folds, respectively). The lowest population density was observed in the SP treatment (1200 g/ ha). Moreover, the parasitized aphid densities in the treatments were significantly increased, and the highest parasitism was recorded in the SP treatment (1200 g/ha). The rapeseed yield in the SP-treated plants was significantly more than control, and the highest yield increase was observed in SP treatment (1200 g/ha). According to the results, SP at 1200 g/ha is recommended for cultural control of B. brassicae in the rapeseed fields.

The endoparasitic wasp, Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Hym.: Encyrtidae), is one of the most effective parasitoids of cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hem.: Pseudococcidae), in Iran. Since natural enemies alone are not able to keep the population of mealybug under economic injury level, the use of chemical insecticides is inevitable. In this study, the effects of sublethal concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 25 ppm of dimethoate, thiodicarb and imidacloprid were investigated on the life table parameters and survival of the parasitoid in laboratory conditions. The results showed that the fertility of the female parasitoids decreased in insecticidal treatments and the length of the total preoviposition period (TPOP) increased. However, the length of the adult preoviposition period (APOP) and the longevity of females did not change. Moreover, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm), the finite rate of increase (λ), and the net reproduction rate (R0) in dimethoate and thiodicarb treatments were significantly lower than control, but in imidacloprid treatment, the difference was not significant. According to these results, imidacloprid had less negative effects than the other two inecticides on the growth parameters and the life table of A. bambawalei.

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley is a polyphagous pest that has become a serious threat to agriculture in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world since the beginning of the twentieth century. Aenasius bambawalei Hayat is an endoparasitoid that parasitizes third instar nymphs of P. solenopsis. In this study, sublethal effects of spirotetramat and chlorpyrifos were investigated on the functional response of the parasitoid on the nymphs of P. solenopsis at 27± 1 ° C, 65± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 14: 10 (L: D). The densities of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 third instar nymphs of P. solenopsis were used in the experiments. The results of logistic regression showed type II functional response in all three treatments including control, spirotetramat, and chlorpyrifos. The search rate (a) of the wasp in control, spirotetramate, and chlorpyrifos treatments were calculated to be 0.2609, 0.1107, and 0.0556 h–1, respectively, which in spirotetramat, and chlorpyrifos were 57% and 78% less than control. Handling time (Th) in control, spirotetramat, and chlorpyrifos treatments were calculated to be 0.0187, 6.3352, and 9.3903 h, respectively. In spirotetramate and chlorpyrifos treatments, handling times were about 26% and 87% more than control. The handling rates of control, spirotetramate, and chlorpyrifos were 4.63, 3.28, and 2.55 host nymphs, respectively; which in spirotetramate and chlorpyrifos it was 31% and 45% less than in control. The results of this study showed that the insecticides of spirotetramate and chlorpyrifos had a negative effect on the functional response behavior of the parasitoid even at low doses and thus could disturb the biological control.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary betaine supplementation on circulating homocysteine, antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in pregnant Sanjabi ewes. Twenty multiparous pregnant ewes (3-5 years old) were fed either a basal diet (Control: 71.2±3.6 kg BW) or the basal diet supplemented with five g per kg dry matter betaine (Betaine: 71.6±3.8 kg BW) during the last five weeks of gestation in a completely random design. Feed intake, body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were weekly recorded. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein at 28, 14, seven, and one-day pre-partum. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and blood concentration of homocysteine, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. Dry matter intake, BCS, and BW of ewes were not affected by betaine consumption. In both groups, the activity of GPx increased (P<0.05), while CAT and MDA decreased (P<0.05) as gestation progressed. The activity of GPx and CAT remained unchanged by betaine. Ewes receiving betaine showed greater (P<0.05) blood homocysteine, but lower (P<0.05) MDA as compared to the control ewes. The birth weight of lambs in Betaine ewes was heavier (P=0.06) than those of control ewes. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of betaine was beneficial for alleviating oxidative stress and improving lambs' birth weight in Sanjabi ewes.

Common bean is cultivated for feeding in the whole world. The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindemann, are considered as the two important pests of bean and lots of pesticides are being used for their control. One of the most important strategies in integrated pest management programs is the cultural practice. In the present study the effects of cultivars and bean plant density has been taken into consideration to control these pests in a bean field in Boroujerd district, Lorestan province of Iran. This research was performed as per factorial in a completely randomized block design, with three cultivars (Akhtar, Derakhshan and 285) in five plant densities of 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 plants per m2. Samplings were carried out weekly and in every sampling date, the number of each pest was recorded. Results showed that bean cultivars had significant impact on the number of eggs in spider mite and in total and 1st instar larval populations of onion thrips. The plant density also significantly affected populations of both the pests. Interactions between cultivar and plant density was not significant for both pests. Overall the highest and lowest population densities of the spider mite observed in the cultivar of Derakhshan with 60 plants density in every m2 and then cultivar of 258 with a density of 20 plants per m2 respectively. The lowest and highest total number of thrips was observed in Akhtar cultivar with 60 plants per m2 and then Akhtar cultivar with a density of 20 per m2, respectively. The results of the present study could be recommended in IPM program for bean fields.

Agrotis segetum (Denis & Schiffermüller) is an important polypahgous pest of sugar beet fields in many regions of world including Iran. Biorational pesticides are good and safe alternatives to the chemical insecticides which are compatible with goals of IPM programs. In this study, efficacy of three biorational pesticides, Azadirachtin (NeemAzal®), Bt (Bactospeine®) and Bt (Biolep®), and a conventional chemical insecticide, deltamethrin (Decis® EC), was studied on pest population and damages as well as carabid beetle population as its important predators in sugar beet field during two agricultural seasons (2015 and 2016). Sampling of the pest egg batches, larvae and the carabid beetles was carried out at 1 day before treatment (DBT) and 1, 3, 7 and 10 days after treatment (DAT). Finally, total yield and sugar content of sugar beet in the different treatments were evaluated for the two agricultural seasons. Results showed that NeemAzal was a significant oviposition deterrent for female moths of A. segetum. During both agricultural seasons, the highest and lowest larvicidal effects were observed in Decis and Bt (EC) treatments, respectively. Ten DAT, 40, 60, 13 and 73% reductions of pest population larvae were observed were observed in NeemAzal, Bt (WP), Bt (EC) and Decis treatments, respectively. Sugar beet yield in all treatments was significantly higher than control. Total yields in NeemAzal, Bt (WP), BT (EC) and Decis treatments were 17.5, 25.6, 12.9 and 43.7% more than control in 2015 and 8.7, 19.7, 4.8 and 37.1% respectively in 2016. But sugar content in the different treatments was not significantly different. Totally, the most adverse effects on carabid beetles were recorded in Decis® treatment

Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the parasitoids which is used against various lepidopteran insect pests in Iran. Due to extensive application of chemical pesticides in farms, studying their side effects on natural enemies is necessary in order to evaluate their probable detrimental effects, in case of application in IPM programs. In this study, side-effects of two prevalent insecticides, flubendiamide and azadirachtin, on functional response of H. hebetor to different densities of 5th instar larvae of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller were evaluated in laboratory conditions. Host densities of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 were exposed to randomly selected treated females of H. hebetor in Petri dishes. Ten replications were considered for each host density. The control was treated with water. The results revealed a type ΙΙ response for all treatments. This study showed that flubendiamide and azadirachtin had the lowest (0.269h) and highest values (1.822h) of handling times, respectively. Also, the highest and lowest values of searching efficiency were observed in the flubendiamide (0.188h–1) and azadirachtin (0.0396 h–1) treated wasps, respectively. According to the results of the study, flubendiamide may be more compatible with biological control agent in IPM programs.

In this study, Effect of water pH correction on short and long term toxicities of four insecticides, oxydimethon methyl (EC 25%), diazinon (EC 60%), acetamiprid (WP 20%) and imidacloprid (SC 35%), were evaluated against population of A. fabae in compeletely randomised block design under field conditions during 2010-2013. Recommended Field concentrations (RFC) , 50 and 25% RFC of each insecticide were made by original and corrected water (by pH reducer solution of Lonsul®). Corrected mortality precentage of the aphid after 24 h and cumulative aphid days (CAD) during various sampling days after treatments were determined and analysed in both growing seasons to evaluate short and long term effects of water correction on the efficacy of the insecticides . Water pH modification had no significant effects on the insecticides short tem efficacie. By pH modification, oxydimethon methyl, diazinon and imidacloprid at 50% RFC caused 99.5-99.9, 98.5-99.7 and 98.1-99.6% reduction in A. fabae population wich were not significantly different from the insecticide application at 100% RFC. The pesticide residue persisted to the end of sampling period (6 weeks in pH modified water compared to 1-2 weeks in original water) , but in acetamiprid plots with pH modified water treatments, CAD at 50% RFC were 103 and 2345 aphids and at 25% RFC CAD were 1532 and 22679 aphids which were significantly higher than the same treatments with original water (453 and 805 aphid at 25% RFC and 76 and 36 aphids at 50% RFC) in the fisrt and seocond growing seasons, respectively.

This is the first report of two ectoparasitoid wasps, Elachertus inunctus (Nees, 1834) in Iran and Elachertus pulcher (Erdös, 1961) (Hym.: Eulophidae) in the world, that parasitize larvae of the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lep.: Gelechiidae). The specimens were collected from tomato fields and greenhouses in Ahwaz, Khouzestan province (south west of Iran). Both species are new records for fauna of Iran. The knowledge about these parasitoids is still scanty. The potential of these parasitoids for biological control of T. absoluta in tomato fields and greenhouses should be investigated.

Tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most destructive pests of tomato in many parts of the world including Iran. Field studies were conducted to determine the short and long term effects of Bacillus thuringiensis var Kurstaki (Bt), azadirachtin (AZ), a mix of AZ Bt, and indoxacarb, as a current chemical insecticide, on T. absoluta larvae. Also, effects of the insecticides were studied on the coexisting generalist predators, Coccinella septempunctata L., Chrysoperla carnea Stephens and Syritta sp. Sampling of T. absoluta and its coexisting generalist predators were performed 1 day before treatment (DBT) and one, 5, 8, 14 and 19 days after treatment (DAT). The results indicated significant short term effect of indoxacarb on the pest larvae. Indoxacarb reduced T. absoluta density and damages. Bt, AZ and mixture of them significantly suppressed the larval density at 19 DAT and caused significant reduction in leaf, stem and fruit damage. The highest long term effect on the pest abundance and damage were observed in Az Bt caused 100% reduction in fruit and foliage damage compared to the control. The highest and lowest adverse effects on C. carnea, C. septempunctat and Serrita sp. were observed in indoxacarb and Bt treatments, respectively. Findings of this study imply that the mixture of Az Bt has the highest selective toxicity on the pest and the lowest effect on its coexisting generalist predators.

Tetranychus turkestani is one of the most important pests of greenhouse plants in the southern provinces of Iran. Several benefits of using essential oils over chemical pesticides make them appropriate for IPM programs. Contact and fumigant toxicity of the essential oils of Foeniculum vulgare and Citrus limon against the spider mite and its predator, Orius albidipennis were investigated under laboratory conditions. Contact toxicity experiments were conducted at six concentrations, (0, 50, 100, 300, 800 and 2000 ppm) of each essential oil on the mature and immature life stages of the pest, and mortalities were recorded 72 h after exposure. In fumigant toxicity trials, LC50 values of the essential oils were determined on different developmental stages of T. turkestani and O. albidipennis. At 800 and 2000 ppm, both essential oils had high contact toxicity on the eggs, 2nd instar nymphs and adults of T. turkestani, while the same concentrations caused less mortality on O. albidipennis. No significant phytotoxicity of the essential oils was observed. The mortality rates of T. turkestani and O. albidipennis increased as concentration was increased. Also, the 2nd instar nymph of T. turkestani was more sensitive to contact application of the essential oils than other developmental stages. In the fumigant toxicity bioassay, LC50 values of the essential oil derived from F. vulgare on the egg, 2nd instar nymph and adult of T. turkestani were 16.08, 7.98 and 14.06, and the values for C. limon essential oil were 11.6, 9.86 and 11.52 µl × l-1air, respectively. The highest fumigant toxicity was observed against the 2nd instar nymphs of the mite. Fumigant toxicity of the essential oils was lower against O. albidipennis than against T. turkestani. This data suggests that the essential oils of these plants have the potential of being employed in the IPM programs of T. turkestani in greenhouse crops, especially cucumber.