فهرست مطالب محمد سعید مصدق

The larvae of certain species in the Noctuidae family cause significant economic damage annually. Due to the importance of this group, specimens of the subfamily Noctuinae, specifically from the tribe Leucaniini, collected from the Fars, Ilam, Kerman and Khuzestan provinces were studied. As a result, among the nine identified and studied species from the genera Mythimna and Leucania, four species from Khuzestan province, three species from Ilam province and one species from Fars province were registered as new provincial records. Additionally, the distribution of Leucania (Leucania) herrichii Herrich-Schäffer, 1849 was confirmed for the first time in Iran. Further studies on this tribe in different parts of Iran are recommended.

This paper is a part of a long-term study on the Noctuidae fauna of Kerman province. Here we report the newly identified species, which were collected mostly in the South of this province during the years 2015 and 2016. Totally, here we report 30 Noctuidae taxa from 13 genera and six subfamilies namely: Acronictinae (five taxa), Amphipyrinae (three taxa), Heliothinae (two taxa), Condicinae (two taxa), Bryophilinae (six taxa) and Noctuinae (12 taxa). Among these reports there are 12 new provincial records from Kerman. Amphipyra kitti Gaal-Haszler, Lödl, Ronkay, Ronkay & Varga, is recorded here as a new species for the fauna of Iran. Material examined is listed together with provincial distribution for each taxon. Wing pattern and male and female genitalia structures of A. kitti illustrated here. The female genitalia of this species describe here for the first time. According to this data, we concluded that despite the vast area of Kerman province, its fauna has been less explored compared to some of its neighboring provinces. We suggest to explore especially higher altitudes of this province.

The date is one of the most nutrient-dense fruit which is low in fat and protein but high in sucrose. Date syrup is rich in macro and micro nutrients. The possibility of replacing the date syrup with sugar in Apis mellifera was investigated. For this purpose, the stimulatory feeding effects on the biological and biochemical characteristics were studied, under natural conditions, in Karbala, Iraq. The average of brood rearing area in the sugar syrup (50%) grew over time (during February and March 2019) from 147 to 272.7 inches2; however, in the other treatments ("date syrup" and "date syrup+ sugar syrup"), there was no increase in brood rearing area. Totally, there was no significant difference in the areas of capped honey storage and pollen storage in honeybee colonies fed various diets. Concerning biochemical features of honey, the highest concentration of diverse chemicals was associated with sugar, while the lowest concentration was associated with date syrup. Furthermore, the honeybees fed with date syrup had an average of 51.64 percent protein, whereas those treated with sucrose syrup had a percentage of 47.5. The highest fat reserve belonged to the honeybees treated with a "sugar syrup + date syrup" with an average of 9.1 %, in comparison with sugar treatment (6 %). The present study revealed that sugar syrup and date syrup treatments resulted in the highest and the lowest average percentage of carbohydrates (43.9% and 37.72%), respectively.

Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae) is a solitary endoparasitoid of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley. It was first found in Iran in 2011 following the introduction of its host, P. solenopsis, in the country in 2009. In order to confirm the identification of A. bambawalei which was based on classic taxonomy, the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was sequenced in A. bambawalei samples collected from southern Iran. The parasitoids were retrieved from the specimens collected from four provinces of Iran, namely Khuzestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan and Fars. The polymerase chain reaction was performed according to standard protocols on the extracted DNA to amplify a fragment of the COI gene. Obtained 633 bp COI sequences were aligned with five A. bambawalei COI sequences available in GenBank from China and Pakistan and two other sequences as outgroups. In addition, a dendrogram was prepared and graphically depicted in a neighbor-joining tree. Our identifications were confirmed by the matches between our sequences and those of the GenBank database. Sequences displayed a BLAST hit and had a sequence similarity percentage of 99%-100% with the GenBank sequence assigned to the same species. The results of COI sequence analysis were in agreement with the morphological identifications. The findings of this study pointed out that COI gene sequence data is a precise and accurate tool for the rapid identification of A. bambawalei species.

This study has evaluated the age-specific functional response of the females of Nephus arcuatus Kapur, as the major predator of Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead). The varying density of N. viridis eggs (2, 4, 8, 15, 40, 65, 90, and 115) were offered to 3 to 33 days of the lifespan of the female adults under laboratory conditions (30 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 14L: 10D h). The age of female adults affected functional responses, its parameters (handling time (Th) and attack rates (a)), and predation rate by N. arcuatus. Females exhibited functional response type III during 16th, 24th and 28th days of their life. Conversely, the functional response during the other 30 days of female life changed from functional response type III to type II. The handling time decreased significantly from the 4th to 17th day as female age increases and then increased, whereas, the attack rates did not significantly change with higher age of the predator. The maximum attack rate values were found on the 12th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 20th and 25th days of female adults. The maximum mean predation rate was 156.6 eggs on the 17th and 18th days. Accordingly, the best time to use females of this predator in an inundative biocontrol agent is during the first 25 days of females' age, when the predator is more capable to attack the prey, especially when N. viridis is in the egg stage.

 In this research after formulating essential oils of Mentha longifolia, Mentha piperita and Oliveria decumbens, quality of the prepared formulations was studied according to the FAO standards. Then insecticidal efficacy of these compounds was investigated in comparison with Dayabon (Dayabon®) and acetamiprid (Mospilan®) against first instar nymphs and adults of Phenacoccus solenopsis in lab and field conditions. The LC50 values of formulated essential oils of M. longifolia, M. piperita, O. decumbens, Dayabon, Dayabon+ sesame oil and  acetamiprid on the adults and the nymphs of P. solenopsis were 164.55, 171.41, 195.92, 6177.85, 3316.58, 69.28 and 49.77, 55.13, 65.32, 4256.10, 2159.89 and 16.45 mg/l, 48h after treatment respectively. Field experiments were also conducted with four replications in a randomized complete block design. The numbers of P. solenopsis (nymph and adult) on branch samples were counted before treatment and 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after treatment. The field bioassay results showed that formulated essential oils had acceptable effects on developmental stages of P. solenopsis. Acetamiprid toxicity was higher than the other treatments but gradually reduced. The total results revealed that formulated essential oils were known as promising compounds in integrated management of this pest.

In recent decades, one of the most important methods of replacing synthetic pesticides is the use of new formulations based on plant essential oils (EOs) that can increase the quality and effectiveness of them. Due to application restrictions of EOs in their pure form, preparation of commercial formulations of these compounds is essential. In this research, At first, the contact toxicity of fifteen different plant EOs was evaluated on reared Phenacoccus solenopsis 1st instar nymphs at 25±1°C and 65±5% RH, with a 16:8-h L:D photoperiod. Three EOs of Mentha longifolia (L.), Mentha piperita (L.), and Oliveria decumbens (Vent.), had the highest contact toxicity and were selected for the rest of the experiments. According to GC and GC/MS analysis, pulegone (51.49%), menthone (22.75%), and 1,8-cineole (11.69%) were the principal components of M. longifolia, menthone (36.51%), menthene (28.51%), menthol (8.12%), and 1, 8-cineole (7.66%) were the principal components of M. piperita and the main components of O. decumbens EO were thymol (43.99%), γ-terpinene (13.96%), and p-cymene (12.62%). After making formulation, contact toxicity of the EOs before and after formulation, was evaluated on P. solenopsis 1st instar nymphs under laboratory conditions. Based on lethal concentration trials, LC50 values of pure and formulated EOs of M. longifolia, M. piperita, and O. decumbens on 1st instar nymphs after 48 hours were 113.49, 129.74, 149.93, and 48.22, 55.55, 61.68 ppm, respectively. Therefore, the contact toxicity of formulated EOs of M. longifolia, M. piperita, and O. decumbens were 2.34, 2.36, and 2.43-fold higher than the pure EOs.

Biological characteristics and feeding rate of Episyrphus balteatus on Nasonovia ribisnigri as an economically important pest of lettuce were evaluated at four constant temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30 ± 1°C), 65 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16L: 8D h. Results showed that the developmental time of the incubation period (egg), first and third instars larvae and pupae of E. balteatus significantly decreased with increasing temperature. Moreover, the duration of developmental time (total immature stages) of this predator decreased with increasing temperature from 24.43 days at 15°C to 13.94 days at 30°C. The feeding rate of E. balteatus was effected by larval instars and temperatures. The 24-hour feeding rate of total larval instars of the predator were 11.48, 13.9, 11.97 and 9.32 nymphs / larva at examined temperatures, respectively.There were no significant differences regarding the developmental time and 24-hour feeding rate of the second larval instar at studied temperatures. The least mortality rate and the greatest 24-hour feeding rate were 12% and 11.6±0.62 third instar nymphs of N. ribisnigri / larva, respectively, in third instar larvae of E. balteatus at 20°C. According to the obtained results and considering high feeding rate of E. balteatus especially at 20°C, seems this predator can be considered as one of the suitable elements for the integrated pest management program of currant lettuce aphid.

During a faunistic study on the springtails (Collembola) of Khuzestan in south-western Iran, eight species including three Hypogastruridae, four Isotomidae and one Sminthuridae were collected and identified. Acherontiella and Acherontiella bougisi Cassagnau et Delamare Deboutteville, 1955 (Hypogastruridae), Ballistura tuberculata (Stach, 1947) (Isotomidae) and Sminthurus wahlgreni Stach, 1920 (Sminthuridae) are new for Iran while Hypogastrura manubrialis (Tullberg, 1869) (Hypogastruridae),  Isotomurus palustris (Müller, 1776) and Parisotoma notabilis (Schäffer, 1896) (Isotomidae) are new for Khuzestan fauna.

unctional and numerical responses of Aphidius matricariae Haliday were studied on Nasonovia ribisnigri Mosely at 20±1°C, 65±5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h. Different densities (2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64) of third instar nymphs of N. ribisnigri were provided to mated female wasp (< 24 h old) with ten replicates in 24 hours. The functional response was determined using logistic regression and the parameters were estimated by non–linear regression. The results revealed a type II functional response of A. matricariae to different densities of third instar nymphs of N. ribisnigri. Attack rate and handling time were obtained as 0.0367 h–1 and 0.4114 h, respectively. Also, maximum attack rate (T/Th) was estimated 58.33 nymphs. The data of numerical response of A. matricariae indicated that with increase of host density, the average number of mummified aphids in life span of parasitoid increased from 7.8 (density of 2) to 140.7 mummies (density of 64). According to these results, it seems that A. matricariae is potentially suitable biological control agent in suppressing N. ribisnigri population.

The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, is a phytophagous insect with high populations causing serious damage to the Chinese hibiscus shrubs (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) from south of Iran. This research was conducted to determine the host preference of Aenasius bambawalei Hayat when had choice or no-choice access to different stages of cotton mealybug. Moreover, biological characteristics and body size of wasps when reared on third nymphal instar and adult females was studied under laboratory condition. According to the results, female wasps did not parasitize the first nymphal stage. The second nymphal stage was parasitized without any adult wasp emergence. The results revealed that the percentage of mealybug mummified, and sex ratio (% female) was significantly higher when mealybug hosts were parasitized at adult females compared to third nymphal stage, in both choice and no-choice access. The developmental times (days) and body size (hind tibia length and antenna length) of A. bambawalei females and males developing in cotton mealybug adult female was significantly longer than those reared on third nymphal instar. The results indicated the high control ability of A. bambawalei, on the older growth stages of cotton mealybug. It is hoped that this parasitoid wasp can be used as a biological agent to control Ph. solenopsis, on the Chinese hibiscus shrubs, H. rosa-sinensis.

Background and Objectives Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an invasive polyphagous and rapid spread pest attacking cotton, vegetables, ornamentals and other plants. Plant essential oils may be a secure alternative approach than synthetic pesticides for P. solenopsis control because of their effectiveness and versatility. This study was directed to assess the biological effects of essential oils of 14 plants species including peppermint, poleigamander, rosemary, catmint, wild mint, sweet basil, spearmint, moldavian balm, marzeh khuzestani, oregano, myrtle, river redgum, weeping bottle-brush and ribbed cachrys against P. solenopsis under laboratory conditions. Materials and Methods Plants were collected from different areas. Their essential oils were extracted via steam distillation using a Clevenger apparatus. P. solenopsis adult females were fed on potato Solanum tuberosum (L.) buds. The toxicity of essential oils for first instar nymphs and adults of P. solenopsis were assayed by the leaf-dip method. Bioassay tests were conducted under laboratory conditions in petri dishes. Leaves of Chinese hibiscus of approximately the same size were dipped in desired concentrations for 15s and air-dried for 30 min. Control leaves were dipped only in Methanol (70%). Control and treated leaves were placed on a layer of agar in the petri dishes, then ten P. solenopsis first instar nymphs and ten adults were released at the center of leaf discs in the petri dishes. For each treatment, we applied four different concentrations in three replicates. After 48 h, mortality percentages of nymphs and adults were recorded. Repellency experiments were carried out with two treatments; the leaf discs were cut to two equal parts. Half of the leaf was dipped in desired concentrations and the other half was dipped only in Methanol. The dried treated leaf discs were laid on a layer of agar in the center of petri dishes and twenty adults were released in the petri dishes. Each treatment was repeated three times. Mortality was evaluated after 24 h. For persistency experiments, leaf discs of Chinese hibiscus of approximately the same size were dipped in desired concentrations and after drying the treated leaf discs were placed on a layer of agar in the petri dishes. Three days later, ten P. solenopsis first instar nymphs and ten adults were released at the center of leaf discs in the petri dishes. Mortality was evaluated after 24 h. The same experiment continued for 5, 7 and 9 days later. Results The most efficacious essential oils against first instar nymphs came from Mentha longifolia, Mentha piperita, Mentha spicata, and Nepeta cataria, with LC50s of 113.49, 129.74, 163.04 and 193.05 ppm, respectively.  Essential oils from Mentha longifolia, Mentha piperita, Prangos ferulacea, and Satureja khuzistanica, with LC50s of 370.12, 400.58, 413.87 and 430.81 ppm, respectively, were the most efficacious against adult mealybugs. The essential oil of M. longifolia showed the highest persistence and repellency on P. solenopsis. Discussion The results clearly indicated that essential oils possessed many useful properties to control insect pests. Also, the essential oil of Mentha longifolia might be used as either a safe compound or a model in construction of new synthetic compounds against P. solenopsis.

Background and objectives Understanding the functional response of a predator to its prey and its parameters including attack rate and handling time, are one of the basic methods in applied biological control for evaluation of the efficiency of a predator. Nephus arcuatus is one of the most important biological control agents of Nipaecoccus viridis. Material and Methods In this study, a laboratory study has been conducted to evaluate the stage-specific functional response of larval stages and adult females and males of N. arcuatus to varying densities of N. viridis 2nd instar nymph. Experimental conditions were based on optimal temperature for N. arcuatus activities, 30±1ºC, 65±5% RH, and 14L:10D photoperiod. Results and Discussion The shape of functional response curve and the functional response parameters were determined respectively by logistic regression and nonlinear least square regression. The 1st instar, 2nd instar larvae, adult males as well as adult females exhibited a type II functional response. Attack rate (a) and handling time (Th) were estimated to be 0.1139 h-1 and 11.4117 h for the 1st instar, 0.3237 h-1 and 4.7013 h for 2nd instar larvae, 0.2233h-1 and 1.4711 h for adult males, and 0.2836h-1 and 1.0198 h for adult females, respectively. In contrast, the 3rd instar and 4th instar larvae of N. arcuatus exhibited a type III functional response. Constant b and handling time were estimated to be 0.0195 and 1.7396 h for the 3rd instar, and 0.00774 and 0.4912 h for 4th instar larvae, respectively. Our results indicated that estimated attack rates did not change significantly between different stages of N. arcuatus with similar functional response curve. In contrast, the handling times of N. arcuatus to its prey increased as the larval age of this predator increased, also females had longer handling time than adult males. Based on the maximum predation rate (T/Th), the 4th instar larva was the most voracious stage (48.56 prey/d) followed by the adult female (23.53 pey/d) and male (16.32 egg/d) N. arcuatus. These findings suggest that the voracity of all stages of N. arcuatus toward N. viridis hold good promises for a use of especially simultaneously 4th instar larvae, and adult males and females of N. arcuatus in a biological control program against N. viridis in orchards and on ornamental plants.

The effects of temperature on demographic parameters of the aphid parasitoid, Aphidius matricariae (Haliday), on lettuce aphid, Nasonovia ribisnigri Mosely, were studied at five constant temperatures, 15, 20, 22, 25 and 27 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16L: 8D h. The life table parameters were estimated using age-stage, two-sex life table procedure. Moreover, the bootstrap method was used for estimating variance, mean and standard error of the population growth parameters, at studied temperatures. All estimated parameters were considerably affected by temperature. Accordingly, nymphs of N. ribisnigri could not settle and survive on the leaves at 27°C. Thus, mummies were not formed. Developmental time of the parasitoid wasp decreased with increasing temperature from 21.21 days at 15°C to 11.19 days at 25°C. The oviposition periods were 15.21±0.12, 9.47±0.10, 5.91±0.05 and 5.6±0.09 days at the temperatures of 15, 20, 22 and 25°C. Similarly, average number of mummies was 249.74±12.6, 192.72±12.8, 105.15±6.2 and 102.3±7.0, at the mentioned temperatures, respectively. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were estimated to be 0.251 and 1.285 (d–1) at 20°C, respectively. However, there was no significant difference among the estimated values regarding intrinsic rate of increase and finite rate of increase at the temperatures of 20, 22 and 25°C. The highest value of net reproductive rate (R0) was 123.06 offspring/individual) at 15°C and the shortest mean generation time (T) was 13.98 (day) at 25°C. According to the obtained results, the temperatures 20-25°C, can be considered as optimal temperature range for the biological control of the currant lettuce aphid by using A. matricariae.

The spherical mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) is one of the major citrus pests with economic importance in the world which also occurs in southern Iran, including Khuzestan province. In this research, prey stage preference and functional response of the coccinellid Hyperaspis polita Weise feeding on N. viridis were studied at 30 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h. Results indicated that the eggs of mealybug were preferred more than any other stages by most stages of H. polita, whereas adult females were less preferred. Results of logistic regression for 4th larval stage, adult female and adult male of ladybeetles by feeding on mealybug eggs, the preferred stage, revealed functional response type II, II and III, respectively. The searching efficiency (a) for 4th instar larvae and adult females were 0.2553 and 0.1983 h-1, respectively, using Rogers equations. Constant coefficient (b) for adult males was estimated to be 0.00405. The minimum handling time (Th) was estimated to be 0.0881 for 4th instar larvae and maximum was 0.3101 for adult males of ladybeetles. The maximum theoretical predation rate (T/Th) was calculated as 298.51 eggs/day by 4th instar larvae and minimum was 77.39 eggs/day by adult males. According to our results, it seems that H. polita has the potential for biological control of N. viridis. Nevertheless, additional field investigations of H. polita and comparison to other available predators would be necessary.

The pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccushirsutus (Green) (Hem.:Pseudococcidae) is one of the serious economic pests of agricultural crops in tropical and subtropical regions.This pesthas spread through Asia, Africa, America and Australia, and infests more than 330 host plants which some of them have the important role in theeconomy. This sap-feeding insect secrets honeydew which provides suitablemedium for black sooty moldgrowth. It also releases a toxin during feeding, which results in severe stunting, decline, and deformation of twigs. It has recorded as a pest on different host plants in southern Iranian provinces since the 1990s.In Khuzestan province, it was first observed on Chinese hibiscus shrubs in urban landscapes of Ahvaz in February 2009. The evergreen hibiscus shrub is very common in the urban landscape of warmcities of Khuzestan province. The severity of mealybug damage to hibiscus shrubs causedto becut off in some regions. As there is no data on the biology of M. hirsutus in Iran,in the present study, the biologyof this pestwas investigatedat different temperatures in laboratory conditions as well as its population fluctuations on Chinese hibiscus shrubs in urban landscapes of Ahvaz.
Biology of the pest species was evaluated at five laboratory constant temperatures 15, 20, 25, 30and 35±2°C (65±5% RH and a photoperiod of L: D 14:10 h) on Chinese hibiscus leaves in plastic boxes (8×6×2 cm). Number ofM. hirsutusgenerations was also studied in clip cages on hibiscus shrubs in Ahvaz urban landscapes within a year. Population fluctuations of the insect were also investigated on those shrubs in two different regions of Ahvaz for 16 months. For this purpose, random sampling was done on five shrubs in each region bi-weekly. Eight twigs, 5 cm in length, were cut from the upper and lower halves of each shrub quadrant and a number of all mealybug developmental stages per twig were counted and recorded.Analysis of duration of different developmental stages was done by one-way ANOVA. For data analysis means were compared using SPSS 20 at 1% significance level. Data were assessed for normality by Shapiro-Wilkinson test in SPSS, and Anderson-Darling test in Minitab15 at 1% significance level.
Total life span ofthe female ofmealybug from egg to death at 20, 25, 30 and 35±2°Cwere 91.18±1.15, 51.68±0.84, 38.18±0.68 and 36.93±0.64 days, respectively. This period for a male was 60.69±1.57, 33.67±0.48, 24.33±0.57and 21.37±0.62days, respectively.No eggs were hatchedat 15°C. The longest and shortest life span of both male and female mealybugs wereat 20 and 35°C, respectively. No female could lay eggs without male and die after amonth. Therefore,matingwas necessary for egg production.However, there are reports of parthenogenetic reproduction in this pest species. An average number of crawlers produced by each female at above mentioned temperatureswere 152.2±6.25, 268.8±7.82, 322.2±6.18 and 240.3±11.86, respectively. The pest produced seven generations on hibiscus shrubs according to clip cage results in Ahvaz the urban area.The average total pre-oviposition period from egg to adult in clip cages in urban area of Ahvaz were 38.67, 34.04, 35.40, 45.21, 39.59 and 67.75 days for 1-6 generations during a year, respectively. Study of the pest population fluctuations showed thatthis pest species overwintered as different developmental stages in crevices of shrub bark. The mealybugs which were hidden in crevices of shrub bark in winter started to occupy the new leaves and twigs in early April.Ants were walking in lines on twigs and around mealybugs in high numbers, indicating the importance of ants in transporting mealybugs from winter shelters to newly grown twigs and leaves in early spring.The moderate temperature in autumn helped the population built up of the pest. Some differencesobservedbetween duration of developmental stages of the mealybug in our study and some previous studies may be arise from the difference in host plants and/or the origin of the studied populations. The 6th and 7th generations occurred in winter with very short developmental time.
Because this pest has a potential for spreading through other Iranian provinces, combining the present results with the previousstudieson this mealybug and its natural enemies’interactions in Khuzestan, may provide a perspective for appropriate control of this pest in Iran.

The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley is an invasive pest species in tropical and subtropical regions and recently has caused severe infestations on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. in southern Iran. In the present study, field biology of this pest was investigated on Chinese hibiscus shrubs as its important host plant in Ahvaz during 2013-2014. Results indicated that P. solenopsis has completed 11 generations per year. The shortest generation times were 3rd, 4th and 5th from early May to early July which lasted 21.63±0.84, 21.48±1.01 and 23.11±1.55 days, respectively, with no significant difference. The 11th generation was the longest and occurred from early December to late March for 90.20±19.61 days. The reproduction mode in all generations was bisexual and none of unmated females did parthenogenetic reproduction. The highest fecundity was calculated as 432.15±35.00 offspring / female for 8th generation in September and the lowest belonged (10.58±1.33 offspring / female) to 10th generation in winter. The highest and lowest sex ratio of females in total population were obtained in 11th generation (%96) and 9th generation (%69), respectively. According to present results, the cotton mealybug has high reproductive potential on Chinese hibiscus shrub and is able to develop well in unfavorable hot summers of Ahvaz. These results can be used in control management of this pest.

In order to assess the effects of cropping and agriculture on species diversity and Collembolan abundance, two different microhabitats (a wheat field and an abandoned wheat field) were selected in Ramhormoz, Khuzestan province, south west of Iran. Samples were collected monthly from 0 to 15 cm soil depth during 2010 and 2011. A total of 2700 collembolan specimens including 14 species from 11 genus and 7 families were collected from both sites that among them 11 species were collected from the abandoned field while all of them were collected from the crop field. Among the species Hypogastrura manubrialis and Lepidocyrtus sp. contributed to the high percentage and dominate the total recorded population of Collembola. Analysis of species diversity by Shannon-Wienner index indicated that the diversity index was significantly higher (p

The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley is one of the important pests of Malvaceae plants that has caused serious damage to China rose Hibiscus rosa-sinensis in Khuzestan province recently. Mean pre-imaginal duration of female P.solenopsis at 20, 25 and 35 °C (65±5% R.H. and 14:10 L: D) were 19.02, 16.6 and 13.54 days, respectively. Mean pre-imaginal mortality were 26.94, 32.72 and 39.12 % at above mentioned temperatures, respectively. One the same three temperatures, mean female longevities were 41.94, 33.8 and 24.6 days, mean daily nymph production were 13.9, 12.06 and 15.12 nymphs, mean total nymph production were 389.68, 318.23 and 214.45 nymphs, mean sex ratio were 70, 71 and 89% and intrinsic rate of increase were0.157, 0.181 and 0.207 most suitable temperature for developmental reproduction of P. solenopsis.
mean total nymph production were 389.68, 318.23 and 214.45 nymphs, mean sex ratio were 70, 71 and 89% and intrinsic rate of increase were0.157, 0.181 and 0.207 most suitable temperature for developmental reproduction of P. solenopsis.

The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley has caused serious damage to Chine rose Hibiscus rosa-sinensis recently. Biological characteristics and life table parameters of Nephus arcuatus Kapur feeding on P. solenopsis was studied at 25, 30 and 35 °C under laboratory conditions. Mean developmental time of female and male on three above mentioned temperatures were 28.75, 18.85, 14.68 and 21.73, 18.85, 14.40 days , respectively. Mean preimaginal mortality were 36.33, 33.4 and 49.33 %, respectively. On the same three temperatures, mean female adult longevity, mean daily eggs, mean total egg and intrinsic rate of increase were 84.76, 99.3 and 61.64 days, 7.79, 6.71 and 3.72 eggs, 384.5, 585.3 and 126.00 eggs and 0.09923, 0.13519 and 0.15064, respectively. Based on the results obtained, 35 °C was the optimal temperature for growth and reproduction of N.arcuatus.Based on the results obtained, 35 °C was the optimal temperature for growth and reproduction of N.arcuatus.Based on the results obtained, 35 °C was the optimal temperature for growth and reproduction of N.arcuatus.

With more than 25000 included species, Noctuidae is the largest family within the order Lepidoptera. The Noctuinae is one of the most important and largest subfamily in this family. In order to identify the fauna of the subfamily Noctuinae in Zagros mountain areas of eastern Khuzestan and northern and central Fars provinces, night samplings were done during 2011-2013 by light traps. Totally, 26 species and one subspecies of Noctuinae belonging to 13 genera were collected and identified. Among them, 13 species and one subspecies were new to the fauna of Khuzestan province and 3 species were also new to the fauna of Fars province. Moreover, Apamea damascene Zilli, Varga, Ronkay & Ronkay, 2009 is newly recorded for the fauna of Iran. Notes on the bionomy and distribution of the recorded taxa, some diagnostic characters as well as illustrations of adults and their genitalia are presented.

Khapra beetle Trogodermagranarium (Evert.) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), has been considered as one of the most invasive pest for stored products in the world. The insect has become tolerant to conventional pesticides including fumigant such as phosphine and methyl bromide. Application of plant essential oils can be a suitable alternative for fumigation. In this study, fumigant and persistence toxicity of the essential oils from leaves of Mentha pulegium L., Eucalyptus microtheca F. Muell and walnut hulls Juglans regia L. evaluated against T. granarium under laboratory conditions of 30±2ºC, 65±5% R.H and darkness. Adult stage have high sensitivity to essential oils. In a period of 48 h exposure, LC50 value against adult stage of T. granarium were 6028.66, 6383.48 and 5498.20 ppm for eucalyptus, walnut and pennyroyal essential oils, respectively. LC50 values indicated that essential oil of pennyroyal (confidence limit: 4646.17-6482.07) had the most insecticidal activity against T. granarium. There was significant differences among LC50 values at p<0.5. The persistence assay against adult stage of insect showed the LT50 value was 8.69, 9.71 and 8.54 d for eucalyptus, pennyroyal and walnut, respectively. Therefore, the persistence of pennyroyal (8.44-11.10) essential oil was the most among the tested plants.

Beetles of Carabidae or ground beetles are one of the most well-known groups of Coleoptera. Most of them are considerable predators of common agriculture pests. Because of the vast and diverse agriculture areas in Jiroft, we studied the fauna of Carabidae in different agriculture crop lands of Jiroft. Different methods such as hand picking, pit fall traps and light traps were used in this study, during 2012-2013. In total, 30 species and subspecies belonging to 21 genera and 10 subfamilies of carabid beetles were collected and identified. Most of the species were collected by pit fall traps. One species of the genus Acinopus was new for science, but needs further examinations. All species, except 7 were new to the fauna of Kerman province. Sampling in two climatically different, but geographically close (75kms) regions showed that species diversity differed between two regions. The species Pheropsophus (Stenaptinus) arabicus had the highest density among collected species. Regarding the role of habitat management in protecting natural enemies such as ground beetles, it is suggested that providing places as refugies for such insects in field boundaries and preventing application of pesticides can protect such insects and enhance their species diversity.

Proliferation and virulence of entomopathogenic fungi can be affected by exposure to pesticides. Compatibility of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (DEMI 001 strain) with imidacloprid (IMI) was assayed by evaluating IMI effects on conidial germination، mycelial growth and sporulation. SDAY fungal cultivation medium was amended with IMI at concentrations of 10، 100 and 500 ppm. SDAY medium without insecticide was used as control treatment. The medium was inoculated by conidial suspension and the number of germinated conidia was counted after 24 h. Mycelial growth and sporulation were also measured. Results showed that IMI had no negative effect on conidial germination or mycelial growth. However، sporulation was progressively reduced as IMI concentrations increased. At the highest concentration of IMI، sporulation was reduced to 2. 40×107 conidia ml-1، compared with control at 4. 93×107 conidia ml-1. According to these results، IMI is reasonably compatible with strain DEMI 001. Additionally، mortality of M. diversus caused by either M. anisopliae or IMI alone، and in combination with different sublethal concentrations of IMI، was evaluated in laboratory bioassays. Mortality in combined treatments was significantly higher compared with non-combination treatments، indicating possible synergistic effects.

Nasonovia ribisnigri Mosely, is considered as a key pest of lettuce and was reported for the first time from southern part of Khuzestan province in 2008. Increasing population and covertly feeding habit of the pest in the central part of lettuce heads causes severe damage in most parts of the fields. To approach the purpose of seasonal dynamics and spatial distribution of lettuce aphid, numerous samples were randomly taken from lettuce field twice a week during 2010-2012. The activity of this pest began in mid and end of December in the first and second year of sampling, respectively. In 2010- 11 and 2011-12, population reached a peak on 9 March (116) and 12 March (62) aphids per plant, respectively and then aphid number declined in the mid April. The population increased slowly in the second year compared with the previous year and there was a significance different between the years (p<0.05). Based on estimation of aphid's population on head, wrapper and frame leaves, 50% of the aphids colonized on head leaves and nymphs were the most abundant stage. The data of spatial distribution with both Iwao’s Patchiness regression and Taylor’s Power Law methods indicated that Taylor's Power Low showed a better fit than Iwao's model and distribution of different stages of aphid population were aggregated. Based on results of this study, despite of difference in population dynamics of lettuce aphids during two years of sampling, counting of nymphs with aggregated distribution pattern on the head leaves can provide a good index to estimate the population and management of this pest.