محمدرضا دماوندیان

During faunistic survey of parasitoid wasps in Ardabil province at 2019-2020, a parasitoid species from Braconidae was collected.The parasitoid wasp identified  as Schizoprymnus rimosus Tobias, 1966 and confirmed by Dr. Matthias Riedel from Germany as . This Braconid species is new for Iranian fauna.

Until now, Favognathus insularis (Luxton, 1973) has been only known from the Niue Island. In recent surveys conducted in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, a second record of this species was provided. It is redescribed here based on the adult females. Also, an identification key to known species of Favognathus is provided.

Archips rosanus</em> (Linnaeus), is one of the most important pests of citrus trees in Mazandaran province. This study was conducted in two separate experiments in citrus orchards located in Maqrikola, Babolsar city. The first experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of mineral oil application in flowering time on the damage of this pest in a completely randomized design with three treatments including 1.5% mineral oil, abamectin (EC 0.8%) with a concentration of 750 ml/100L and control (without spraying) in three replications on 31th</sup> March 2016. The second experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of mineral oil application in flowering time on fruit production of citrus trees that were similar to the first one. The results of the first experiment showed that the number of infested shoots per tree were statistically different  at 1% level (p <0.01). The mean of infestation in control, abamectin and mineral oil treatments were 21.33a, 9.22b and 8.89b infested shoots per tree, respectively. The results of the second experiment showed that the average amounts of fruit production were 128.34a, 125.54a and 122.81a kg per tree in control, mineral oil and abamectin treatments respectively. Ttere was no statistically significant difference between them. The results of this study showed that application of mineral oil or abamectin in flowering stage has not harm effect on fruit production and it is able to control A. rosanus</em>.

In order to control Ennomus quercinaria, toxicity of different concentrations of Bacillus thuringiensis on was studied against the larvae of this pest to estimate LC50 levels of this biopesticide in this study. Laboratory evaluations by dipping method indicated more sensitivity of second instar larvae than the first ones, so that LC50 values of 2.14 and 0.6 ppm were calculated for the first and second instar larvae, respectively. Then, three calculated concentrations (1, 2, 3 ppm) of B. thuringiensis were sprayed on 2-year-old Parrotia seedlings using a back mounted sprayer, followed by releasing 30 second instar larvae on the seedlings. Results of LSD test showed significant differences in the mortality of second instar larvae between the control (water) and each of the three B. thuringiensis concentrations (p<0.01). The highest mortality rate (62%) caused by a concentration of 2 ppm. In the field conditions, B. thuringiensis caused 35% mortality versus a mortality rate of 2.8% in the control. The results of this study can be an important step in introducing a low-risk and healthy compound for pest control in the forest ecosystem and its beneficial insects.

Acute toxicity of the field recommended concentration of three conventional insecticides (Diazinon, Malathion and Chlorpyrifos) and mineral oil was evaluated on 3rd and 4th instar larvae and adults of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant. The mortalities caused by the insecticides and mineral oil were significantly different. Diazinon and Malathion with 100% mortality showed the highest toxicity to the different stages of the ladybird. Chlorpyrifos and mineral oil caused less than 30% mortality, while mineral oil had the lowest harmful effect on this predator. Based on LC50 and LC90 values 24h after treatment, the male and female adults of C. montrouzieri were more susceptible to Diazinon (701 and 635; 1257 and 1194ppm) than to Chlorpyrifos (4238 and 4316, 5683 and 5480 ppm). Based on International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC) classification, Chlorpyrifos and mineral oil were classified as category 1 (harmless) and Diazinon and Malathion were placed in category 4 (harmful).

The effect of mineral spray oil (MSO) and imidacloprid were compared to control Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lep: Gracillariidae) and Panonychus citri and Phytoseiid predatory mites populations. The first experiment, the average number of mines per leaf by citrus leaf miner larvae in MSO treatment with 700 ml per 100 litres of water, imidacloprid (4 cc/2litres of water) and control were 0.27, 0.37 and 2.95, respectively. Percent larval mortality were 51.85, 37.83 and 26.10% , respectively and Percent pupae were 47.09, 59.4 and 73.8, respectively. The average number of mines per citrus leaf miner larvae in MSO treatments with 900 ml per 100 litres of water, imidacloprid (4 cc/2litres of water) and control were obtained 0.09, 0.3 and 2.9, respectively. Percent larvae mortality were 77.57, 60.06 and 26.1%, respectively and Percent pupae were 11.01, 36.23 and 75.32%, respectively. The second experiment, average number of eggs and developmental stages of Panonychus citri in control using imidacloprid at all sampling dates was significantly higher than the MSO spraying. On the other hand, the number of eggs and developmental stages of Phytoseiid predatory mites in MSO spraying were significantly higher than control using imidacloprid. The results showed that mineral oil was able to control citrus leafminer sufficiently and could be replaced the imidaclopridic pesticide in citrus orchards of Mazandaran province.

We conducted a study to identify the parasitoid and hyperparasitoid waspsofCeroplastes sinensisonHedera helix L. in Mazandarn province in 2013. Primary parasitoid wasps were identified as the aphelinid species Aphytis hispanicus (Mercet, 1912) and Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker, 1839), the encyrtid Microterys nietneri (Motschulsky, 1859) and a hyperparasitoid wasp was identified as Pachyneuron muscarum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pteromalidae) from Juybar. The species Metastenus concinnus (Walker, 1834) (Pteromalidae) and Isodromus flaviscutum (Hoffer & Trjapitzin, 1978) (Encyrtidae) were found to be parasitoids of the natural enemies of C. sinensis from Juybar. I. flaviscutum is newly recorded from Iran.

The orange Pulvinaria scale, Pulvinaria aurantii (Cockerell) is the most important pest of citrus in Mazandaran, Iran. The calculation of economic injury level is essential for the appropriate decision to Pest control. The economic injury level (EIL) of P. aurantii on Washington navel orange was studied during two years (2011 and 2012) in Sari (north of Iran). In the first year, six treatments of different densities of pest ovisacs (0, 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13) and each treatment with 8 replications and in the second year, five treatments (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20), each treatment with 7 replications on the leaves were evaluated in a completely randomized design (CRD). Economic injury level (EIL) was calculated as 133, 125, 110 and 131 ovisacs per branches with an average number of 7.1, 6.7, 5.9 and 7 fruits for the first generation of 2011 and 242, 228, 201, and 238 ovi sacs per branches with an average number 7.1, 6.68, 5.88 and 7.01 fruits for the first generation of 2012, as well as 203, 191, 168 and 200 ovisacs per branches with an average number 7.1, 6.68, 5.88 and 7.01 fruits for the second generation of 2012, for ethion, chlorpyrifos, buprofezin and diazinon pesticides, respectively.

In this study, the effects of,Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner subsp kurstaki on the larval stages of Archips rosanus Linnaeus was investigated. Dipping methodwas usedfor bioassayin vitro. LC50 and LC90 of the first and, the sum of second and third larval instars were shown to be 4480, 9010 and 4460 19040 ppm, respectively. A semi-field experiment on the two-year Washington navel (Citrus sinensis(L) Osbeck.Var novel) plants with 5 treatments and water as control was conducted in a completely randomized design. After data analysis, LC50 and LC90 of the first and the second instars larvae of A. rosanus 96 hours after treatment were 2130, 13790 and 2840, 16840 ppm, respectively. The field experiment was conducted in 3,000 m2 orchard of 30 hectares. In this experiment, four treatments namely, Malathion (2000 ppm), B. thuringiensis (0.5 and 1 percent) and water as acontrol compared with each other. The average number of alive larvae of A. rosanus on sample units trees in the first year had no significant difference, but in the second year on the trees for the control,B. thuringiensis (0.5, 1 percent) and Malathion 7 days after treatment,were 5.466a, 2.4c, 4.4ab and 3.266bc, respectively. Overall results showed that microbial insecticide B.t has killing efficiency for the larvae in the orchards.

Expired pesticides are a major problem in many countries. Thus, we need to know the effective factors in pesticides degradation to prevent environmental damage of them. In many cases restructuring or demolition costs of the expired pesticides are more than their primary production.
This study investigated the possibility of applying the expired pesticides stockpiles of agricultural supportive services company. Quality control tests were performed according to the FAO, CIPAC and pesticide manufacturer's guidelines.
The results were classified based on the different groups of pesticides, physical state of herbicides formulation, producing companies, date of production and location of warehouses. Data were analyzed by Chi-Square test, in case of significance. The risk test was performed to determine the relative risk for the variables using SPSS-18 software.
Result showed a significant correlation between the time lagged after production of herbicides and degradation percentage of herbicides. The degradation percent of expired insecticides was highest and that of expiered herbicides and fungicides was at the second and third rank, respectively. The degradation percent of the expired herbicides formulated in the country was 52% and that of the expired herbicides formulated in India/China was 67%. The results show that 55% of the herbicides with liquid formulation and 26% of the herbicides with solid formulation were degraded. Considering the degradation rate of herbicides, there is no statistically significant difference between the warehouses at 4 climatic regions.

Degradation of pesticides after production and before usage can reduce efficiency and therefore make them unusable. Stockpile of these pesticides in the world is an environmental and health threat. Therefore the management of obsolete pesticides is essential around the world. This study investigated the possibility of recycling the expired pesticide stockpiles of agricultural supportive services company. Quality control tests were performed according to the FAO, CIPAC and pesticide manufacturer's guidelines. The results were classified based on the different groups of pesticides, physical state of pesticides formulation, producing companies, date of production and location of warehouses. Data were analyzed by Chi-Square test, in case of significance; the risk test was performed to determine the relative risk for the variables using SPSS-18 software. Result showed a no-significant correlation between the time lagged after production of pesticides and percentage degradation of pesticides (r=0.427, n=10, P>0.01). The percent degradation of expired insecticides was highest and then the herbicides and finally the fungicides. The percent degradation of expired pesticides formulated in the country was 45% and those formulated in India/China were 58%. The results show that 55% of pesticides with liquid formulation and 29% with solid formulation were degraded. Considering the degradation rate of pesticides, there is no statistically significant differences betweenthe warehouses at four climatic regions (P>0.01).

Diversity reflects the complexity of a system and can maintain its sustainability. Higherdiversity, results in higher inherent complexity of agro-ecosystems and strengthen their processes. It is necessary to realize the spatial distribution and temporal properties of the biodiversity components in agro-ecosystems, for the conservation and optimal utilization. Since weeds as a complementary component of agro-ecosystems and are inseparable, so the study of species, their functional and structural diversity of them can play an important role in weed management and balance in ecological systems. This study was performed to determine the effects of different management systems on structural, and functional diversity of paddy weeds in Mazandaran province. Three rice fields, ranged from 0.3 to 0.5 ha, were chosen for each management system. Samples were collected from three fields running under each selected management system (organic and conventional). Data (number of weed species and their density) were randomly gathered from 9 quadrates (1m×1m) per each field in four stages (tillering, stem elongation, grain filling and after harvest). The diversity, evenness, frequency and similarity indices for weeds were determined at genera and species level. Data analysis carried out through T-test and grouping performed via cluster analysis as hierarchy. All monitored weeds can be classified into four plant family including cereals (Poaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and chicory (Asteraceae).Under conventional systems the values of weed diversity indices were higher during tillering and stem elongation compared with organic ones, and were lower during grain filling and after harvest stages. However indices of weed evenness showed contrary tendency. Both Sympson and Shanon-Wiener diversity indices, consist of two clusters in 76% similarity. Evenness indices of Kamargo and Smith-Wilson included two clusters in 83% and 82%, respectively. Range of similarity index was between 1.89% and 83.96%. Weed grouping based on relative frequency during the sampling stages showed two clusters in 78% and four clusters in 85% similarity. Clustering weeds centered on relative frequency during sampling stages, according to the family, showed different results. It might be the reason that the relative abundance of weeds, sedge family (79%) were in two clusters. However, sampling stages grouping based on weed density, induced two clusters in 39% similarity. Both conventional and organic systems, are included 10 species of 8 genera of four families. The 75 percent of families based on the vegetative form were monocots and 25% of them were dicots, so monocots had more diversity. Perhaps the presence of Alismaplantagoin the conventional system could be as a unique species and its absence in the organic system, attributable to duck existence in it. Based on life-cycle, 6 species were annual and 4 were perennial. While, according to the photosynthetic pathway, 50 percent species were C3 and others had C4 pathway. Based on the characteristics of the interference, 4 species were noxious and 6 species were non-noxious. Poaceae were the most diversity of weeds in monocotyledon and C4 pathway (three species). Two species of noxious weeds and herbicide resistant belong to Poaceae too. The Cyperaceae consist of two species from four perennial ones. The weeds of Poaceae and Cyperaceae families include 70% of total weed. Generally, weeds in ecosystems usually change thehabitat conditions or impact on the resources availability for other species. Due to repeated or severe disturbances, agro-ecosystems are limited to the early stages of succession. Thus, the widespread destruction of agro-ecosystems during consecutive years, by changing the succession, weed population dynamics was affected as well. It should be noted that the differences of weed distribution in the various stages of the sampling in both conventional and organic systems, can be related to dissimilarities in management practices. The presence of various species of grass and sedge family in paddies, could be related to the ecological niche differentiation, because of ecological divergence amongst the different photosynthetic pathways (such as C. rotundus, C4 and C. difformis, C3) or the variance between water requirements (such as Echinochloa crus-galli in wet conditions and flooding and Digittaria spp. in dry conditions). Sound management in these conditions can the switch a threat into an opportunity, so that with regard to interaction among weeds and other communities such as insects, in rice agro-ecosystems, the emerging phenomena at this level would be beneficial. It seems, realizing species, structural and functional diversity of weeds in rice agro-ecosystems, can be result in better management of farm production with the aim of provide ideal use of resources.

During faun survey on parasitoids wasps of Coccoidea in Mazandaran province (north of Iran) collected two species of the family Encyrtidae and one species of Aphelinidae family (2010-2013). One species collected from Chionaspis salicis on Salix acmophylla from Amool in April 2012. This parasitoid was later identified as Adelencyrtus brachycaudae Xu& Shi, 1999. The other species was collected from Planococcus citri on Citrus aurantum from Jouybar in April 2013. This parasitoid identified as Clausenia purpurea Ishii, 1933.Theses parasitoid wasps belonging to Encyrtidae. Also Coccophagus yoshidae Nakayama, 1921 collected from Coccus hesperidum on Euonymus fortune from Sari in September 2013. This parasitoid wasp belonging to Aphelinidae. All of these parasitoid wasps identified by Dr. Zhi Hong Xu from China. These parasitoid wasps are new for Iranian fauna.

The family Mymaridae (Hym.: Chalcidoidea) are cosmopolitan wasps, with 103 valid genera and about 1424 valid species worldwide. On the study of faun on parasitoids wasps of Coccoidea in Mazandaran in 2011-2013, two species of Mymaridae belong to Alaptus genera were collected. One species identified as Alaptus priesneri collected from three samples of Chrysomphalus dictyospermi on Citrus aurantium L. on 02. Sep. 2013, Planococcus citri on C. aurantium L. on 23. Sep. 2013 and Ceroplastes sinensis on Hedera helix L. on 26. Sep. 2013 in Juybar area. Alaptus auranti collected in one samples of C. dictyospermi on C. aurantium L. on 07. Dec. 2012 in Juybar area. These parasitoid wasps are new for Iranian fauna.

During 2011-2014, in the course of a faunistic survey of parasitoid wasps in Mazandaran Province Cleonymus laticornis (Hym.:Pteromalidae) was collected and identified for the first time from Iran. This species identified by Dr. Antoni Ribes (Spain). Cleonymus laticornis Walker, 1837 (Hym.: Pteromalidae) was reported from France, Britain, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovak, Swiss, Morocco (1), Belgian, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Netherland, China, Spain, Belarus, Switzerland, United kingdom and United States (3).Graham (1969) introduced C. laticornis as parasitic on xylophagous Coleoptera as on sunny days in May and June, females may be seen searching for their hosts on the branches of old trees particularly Salix sp. (Salicaceae) and Corylus sp. (Betulaceae) attacked by beetles (2). This parasitoid wasp was reported of the larvae of Ochina hederae (Col., Anobiidae) on host covered with ivy for the first time by Westwood in 1839. Lichtenstein was reported C. laticornis on some larvae Gracilia minuta (Col., Cerambycidae) from France in 1919 (2).Noyes (2014) reported other hosts from Coleoptera for C. laticornis that are include Mecinus pyraster (Curculionidae), Hylesinus oleiperda and Hylensius toranio from Scolytidae, also Gracillaria minuta (Gracillariidae) from Lepidoptera order as primary host for this parasitoid wasp (3). In this survey C. laticornis was collected from Coleoptra pupa probably belongs to Cerambycidae family on Prunus divaricate from Juybar in 3. Jun. 2012. This species identified by Dr. Antoni Ribes (Spain). Some characters of this parasitoid were as fallow: Body of female is 3/1-5/7 mm, whole color of body is dark-brown, legs were light brown and tarsi are white. There was two transvers brown patch in front wings. Body is narrow. Gaster in lowest 2/4x as long as width. Head in dorsal view was as 2/2x as width, scutellum is long. Marginal vein was at least 1/7x as long as stigmal vein. Fifth tergite has lower width. Marginal vein specially is longer than postmarginal vein and its length was about 1/8-1/9 stigmal vein.

Increase in cetrus damage by Pulvinaria aurantii in recent years and more pressure of pesticides application by farmer are two urgent problems of citrus production in north of Iran. To apply pesticides in a right time that is a component of integrated pest management (IPM), seasonal changes of citrus soft scale, Pulvinaria aurantii (Cockerell) densities was studied in central and eastern part of Mazandaran province from 2007 to 2009. There wene two annual generations per year. The first, designated as the summer generation, appeared from June to September, and the second, designated as the autumn generation, appeared from September to the following June. The maximum population of crawlers and first instar of second generation were seen during the last 10 days of june and for first generation during the late of September and beginning of October which is the best time for controlling the pest. Parameter b of Taylor's power low is an index of dispersion that in ordinary population was 9.4, suggested an aggregated dispersion pattern on one tree, however in high population (b= 1.57) it became close to random. There was no significant difference between the number of P. aurantii in different geographical direction and inside canopy of the tree in comparison with outside the tree canopy. However, in orchard with no suitable pruning, always P. aurantii population was high. Furthermore, the enough spaw between trees and pruning, cause to decrease infestation by the pest from 25.1% to 8.3%.

The efficacy of mineral oil at a rate of 1L/100L of water spray programmes against citrus soft scale on Thomson novel orange trees and population of phytoseiids mites were compared with conventional insecticides (Dursban & Gusathion at a rate of 2ml/1L of water) that sprayed by farmers during two years. Phytotoxicity of mineral oil sprays was assessed in terms of fruit and leaf drop and external fruit quality. On Thomson navel trees, the mineral oil was better than the common farm practice for controlling citrus soft scales on trees and there was no significant different between two treatments, p>0.05. Population and rate of increasing of phytoseiids mites in orchards that treated with mineral oil were always higher than in the orchards that treated with insecticides. There was no evidence of leaves and fruit dropping, phytotoxicity and low external fruit quality on orange trees.

The southern coast of the Caspian sea is an increasingly urgent problem, because of pesticide application and different type of cancers are increasing. The response of the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri to different doses of mineral oil and determination of LC50 and LC90 using bio-assay technique was tested. The treatment applied in two different techniques including: slide dip method and using backpack sprayer. Laboratory evaluation indicated that in very low concentration of narrow-range mineral spray oil the mortality was very high, using slide dip method. The LC50 and LC90 were calculated 0.44 and 0.85%, respectively, using backpack sprayer. The dilute application of 0.85% mineral oil compared with conventional control and just control in the citrus orchard. There were no significant differences between two treatments of mineral oil and conventional control. Therefore, according to the two years results the concentration of 0.85% mineral oil in water should control the citrus red mite. Results are discussed in terms of a sustainable, integrated pest management system.

The southern coast of the Caspian sea is an increasingly urgent problem, because of pesticide applications is increasing. This research is based on management of pesticide that is a component of integrated pest management (IPM), which seeks to minimize pesticide use through application of alternative tactics. The response of Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) to different percent of mineral oil and determination of LC90 & LC50 using bio – assay technique was tested. The treatment applied in three different techniques including: submerging fruit in the treatment, using spray tower and backpack (bp) sprayer. Probit analysis has been done using P/PROBAN computer programme. Laboratory evaluation of mineral oil indicated that in very low concentration of mineral oil the mortality were very high, using submerging technique. The LC90 & LC50 were calculated 0.37 & 0.74 %, respectively, using (bp) sprayer. According to LC90 and its corresponding fiducial limits (0.65% & 0.94%) using (bp) sprayer, suggested that dilute application of 0.8% mineral oil should control the citrus rust mite (CRM). 2 = 0.474 which shows that the CRM population was susceptible homogenes to mineral oil. According to the results of this study the CRM is very sensitive to mineral oil and it is not necessary to apply any acaricide. Applying just mineral oil to control this pest can help reducing the harmful effects of acaricides and prolonged the efficacy of environmentally safe pesticides to control the population of this pest.