محمدرضا زرگران

This research was conducted in 2020 in order to investigating the species diversity and abundance of oribatid mites in the oak and hornbeam forests of Arasbaran (Ahar and Kaleibar) in East Azerbaijan Province. Soil sampling was carried out in May and June. Oribatid mites present in soil samples were separated using Berlese funnels and clarified in relative solution, followed by preparation of microscope slides. After identification, counting, diversity and evenness indices (Shannon and Simpson), as well as species richness were calculated using Ecological Methodology 6.0 software. In general, 29 species of Oribatid mites from 27 genera and 23 families were identified in this study: Cosmochthonius lanatus Michael, Sphaerochthonius splendidus Berlese, Steganacarus (Tropacarus) carinatus Koch, Papillacarus pseudoaciculatus Mahunka, Rhysotritia ardua Koch, Nothrus biciliatus Koch, Hermanniella septentrionalis Berlese, Plesiodamaeus ornatus Pérez-Íñígo, Belba sp., Xenillus setosus Grobler, Ozman & Cobanoglu, Fosseremus quadripertitus Grandjean, Rhinoppia obsoleta Paoli, Ramusella (Ramusella) puertomonttensis Hammer, Ramusella (R.) sengbuschi Tokyoensis, Ramusella (R.) sengbuschi Str., Graptoppia (G.) sundensis acuta Ayyildiz, Rectoppia sp., Suctobelella sp., Austrocarabodes (Austrocarabodes) foliaceisetus Murvanidze & Weigmann, Tectocepheus velaus Michael, Eupelops acromios Haman, Berlesezetes aegypticus Balogh & Mahunka, Oribatula (O.) tibialis allifera Subías, Protoribates (P.) paracapucinus Mahunka, Scheloribates fimbriatus Thor., Ceratozetes conjunctus Mihelčič, Punctoribates angulatus Bayartogtokh, Grobler & Cobanoglu, Galumna sp., Pilogalumna sp. The highest abundance of mites in Ahar and Kaleibar belonged to Scheloribtes fimbriatus and Oribaiula tibilis, respectively. The calculated species diversity indices in the Kaleibar region during June were higher than those in May. The diversity and species richness of oribatid mites were higher in Kaleibar with oak vegetation, which could be due to the higher humidity and acidity of the soil compared to Ahar.

Oak gallwasps (Family: Cynipidae) are among the most important insects associated with oak trees. To identify the parasitoid communities of gall wasps on Quercus infectoria Oliv., galls were sampled in October 2018 due to the collection of asexual generations of oak gall wasps. Sampling was carried out at two altitudes (1300-1500 and 1500-1700 m) in the Pidaranan and Mirabad areas in 2018. Parasitoid species were identified, and their abundance, species diversity, and richness indices were calculated using Ecological Methodology ver. 3.0 software. The means of the treatments were compared between altitude slopes using an independent student t-test with SPSS ver. 21 software. Results showed that 20 species of gall wasps and 10 species of parasitoid wasps belonging to five families of the order Hymenoptera were collected and identified. Of the 20 species of oak galls, 15 had parasitoids. The two species Andricus coriarius Hartig and Andricus coriariformis Melika et al. had the highest number of parasitoid wasps. Among the parasitoid wasps, the most frequent species was Aulogymnus gallarum L., which was introduced as the main parasitoid in at least 10 gall wasp species with high population density. The mean values of parasitoid species diversity and evenness indices for gall wasp species on Q. infectoria in different regions and altitude slopes were not significantly different from each other.

One of the main destruction factors of oak forests is the oak leaf roller Tortrix viridana L. which causes a lot of damage to these woods by feeding leaves and buds of oak trees. The purpose of study was to investigate the population changes of this pest in different altitudes. This research was conducted in 2018 in Perdanan and Mirabad. In each region, in three elevation classes, transects with 100 meters’ intervals, and in each elevation class, 30 individuals of Quercus infectoria Olivier, which were located along the specific transect and in terms of appearance approximately similar, measured. In each tree, four branches were selected in four main directions (each direction of a length of 50 cm) and the pest larvae counted and the diameter of the branches were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18 software and comparison of means was performed using Duncan's multiple range test. Results showed that according to the climatic diversity of two regions, the number of T. viridana larvae in the Perdanan was higher than Mirabad. Also, the number of larvae was recorded for both areas in the 1200-1300 meters’ elevation, which shows that the favorable conditions for larvae activity. The elevation class had no effect on distribution of pest in directions of the tree crown. The highest number of larvae in all three elevation classes was recorded in the eastern direction of the tree and its lowest amount were recorded in the west direction.

The brown tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.) is a significant leaf-eating pest that affects oak trees in the Arasbaran forests of Iran. This study aimed to investigate the biological characteristics, distribution, and demographic changes of this pest. The research was conducted in eight sites located in Ahar and Horand counties, East Azarbaijan province of Iran, during 2020-2021. For the study, 20 oak trees (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) were chosen from each site, and 10 wintering nests were collected from each tree and taken to the laboratory for analysis. In the lab, the overwintering larvae were counted and weighed using a digital scale. The researchers also measured the width of the head capsule of the larvae and studied the life cycle of the pest in field conditions. The analysis of variance test was conducted to assess the difference between the eight sites concerning the average number and weight of the larvae in the wintering nests. The comparison of the averages was performed using Duncan's test. The results showed that E. chrysorrhoea has five larval instars, with the majority of the larvae in the wintering nests belonging to the third instar (around 90%). All the sample oak trees from the studied sites were infected with this pest, with several larval nests seen on them. The study found that the average number and weight of larvae inside the nests in the three sites of Horand county were significantly higher than the five sites in Ahar county. The control methods applied in Ahar county, including cutting and collecting larval nests, may have had an impact on reducing the number of brown tail moth larvae compared to Horand county.

Euproctis chrysorrhoea L. is the key pests of Arasbaran forests and has very high distribution. This research was conducted in order to investigating species diversity and richness of the arthropods related to wintering larvae of pest in eight regions of Ahar and Horand in East Azarbaijan in 2019. Number of 20 oak trees were selected in each area and 10 nests of wintering larvae were collected from each tree and transferred to the laboratory. Isolation of arthropods inside larval nests was done in the laboratory and species richness indices, Shannon and Simpson diversity of them at different elevation classes were also calculated. In this research, the number of seven species of arthropods on the overwintering larvae of E. chrysorrhoea were collected and identified as follows: Brachymeria intermedia Nees, Monodontomerus aerus Walker, Pimpla turionellae L., Meteorus obsoletus Wesmael, Telenemus sp., Tachina praeceps Meigen and Thomisas sp. The highest number of arthropods (six species) was observed in Niagh area in Horand. The highest frequency was belong to Telenemus sp. Diversity and species richness of arthropods of E. chrysorrhoea was less in different regions of Ahar than Horand. So that the highest and lowest values of Shannon's diversity index with values of 2.56 and 1.04, as well as the highest and lowest values of Simpson index with values of 0.76 and 0.31, respectively, were recorded in Niagh in Horand and Goravan in Ahar. Results showed that the height above sea level did not affect diversity indices of arthropods related to wintering larvae.

Myzocallis coryli (Goetze) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a major hazelnut pest in Iran. This aphid attacks the stems and leaves of Corylus avellana L. hazelnut trees, and as the population grows, it causes the leaves of hazelnut trees to dry and fall, reducing the quality of the nuts. The use of entomopathogenic fungi in the management of hazelnut aphid has been prioritized in order to reduce negative environmental consequences. The isolates IRAN 715C, DEMI001, M14, and V245 from the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae were employed in this work to assess on the adults of M. coryli. To assess the toxicity of four isolates, the Probit tool in SPSS 21 software was employed with a fatal dose of 50% of the LC50. The LC50 values for DEMI001, IRAN715C, M14, and V245 isolates on adults of M. coryli in laboratory and field settings were 1.9×106, 2.34×106, 0.469×106, 1.79×106 and 7150×106, 101000×106, 4860×106, 14700×106 con/ml, respectively. According to the findings of this investigation, isolated M14 is particularly efficient on adult filbert aphids. In addition, a larger concentration of fungal suspensions is required in the field to suppress adult aphids than in the laboratory. The additive or synergistic effects were not seen when assessing the interaction between two effective isolates. As a result, the use of isolate M14 in the hazelnut aphid integrated management program (IPM) is suggested.

Parasitoid wasps are one of the natural enemies and major causes of mortality of Oak gall wasps (Cynipidae). This study was conducted during 2018-2019 in Rabat and Vavan regions (Sardasht –West-Azerbaijan) in order to identify the sexual generation of oak gall wasp’s species on the Persian oak Quercus brantii and their natural enemies. The galls were reared to collect gall wasps and parasitoids in laboratory. Then, Species diversity, evenness and species richness (with Rarefaction method) were calculated with Ecological Mothology 3.0 software. 14 parasitoid wasps belonged to six families of Hymenoptera were identified. Bootaniomyia dorsalis had the highest frequency among collected parasitoid wasps from Rabat and Vavan in two years. The mean of diversity and evenness indexes in 2018 and 2019 in two studied regions showed that the mean of diversity between Rabat and Vavan had a significant difference in both years. The Shannon diversity index in Rabat was more than Vavan. The highest richness of parasitoids was recorded in Rabat in 2019.

Pests are one of the most dangerous factors in the development and cultivation of Poplar. These trees are severely reduced in terms of quantity and quality of the wood products and suffer severe damage due to the damage of harmful insects. This study was conducted to collect and identify important poplar pests in three plantations located in Urmia, Salmas and Khoy and their demographic changes by sampling Poplar pests using methods such as light trap, net trap and direct capture. In each plantation, 30 trees were sampled and the species richness of the poplar pests was calculated by the rarefaction method and their species diversity was calculated using Shannon and Simpson diversity indices. The important identified pests were: dusky clearwing (Paranthrene tabaniformis Rott.), Chaitophorus populi L., puss moth (Cerura vinula L.), Amorpha populi (L.), poplar spiral gall aphid (Pemphigus spirothecae Pass.), Melanophila picta (Pall.), Monosteria unicostata (Muls.& Rey), poplar woolly aphid (Phloemyzus passerini Sign.), Melasoma populi (L.), Capnodis miliaris (Klug.), and poplar minnow moth (Lithocolletis populifoliella Tr.). The values of diversity and evenness indices calculated in all three regions did not have a significant difference at the level of 5%, which showed the climate did not affect these indices. The poplar minnow moth was considered to be the most destructive pest of the poplar cultivations in West Azerbaijan and its activity on various poplar colonies was significant.

Oak gall wasps among food chains in the Zagros forest ecosystem are highly dependent on these trees. The gall wasps of the Cynipinae subfamily with 1380 species create the most attractive herbaceous plant galls with a very complex structure in the world. In this study, the distribution and diversity of oak gall wasps species, the samplings of oak gall wasps species based on the sexual and asexual generations were carried out in May and October of the year 2019, respectively. The collected gall wasps from Ghasem-rash, Shalmash, and Kani-rash regions were transferred to the laboratory by paper envelopes. 50 galls of each type were collected separately and placed in breeding containers that were closed with a net and could be properly ventilated. Shannon and Simpson diversity and uniformity indices as well as species richness were also calculated. In this study, 22 species of gall wasps, belonging to the genera Andricus, Chilaspis, Cynips, and Neuroterus (5 species of sexual offspring in spring and 17 species of asexual offspring in summer-autumn) were identified. The number of 18, 14, and 15 oak gall wasps species were collected from Ghasem-rash, Shalmash, and Kani-rash, respectively. Neuroterus numismalis was the most abundant in all regions. The highest species richness of the oak gall wasps species was recorded in Ghasem-rash. The calculated indices of species diversity and uniformity were the same in all regions and did not have significant differences.

Chalcidoidea play an important role in the biological control of many agricultural pests. The present study determines and compares the diversities of this superfamily in four ecosystems in the Lake Urmia basin. It is the largest hypersaline lake in the world with a large basin of different ecological conditions in northwest Iran. These stations were: Khajeh (K) and Tasuj (T) in Lake Urmia Basin (LUBin) and Khoda-Afarin (KA) and Tikme-Dash (TD) out of their (LUBout). Four months of Malaise trapping in these habitats resulted in a total of 512 specimens from 11 families of Chalcidoidea, including 6, 9, 10 and 10 families in K, KA, T and TD, respectively. Maximum abundance was observed in the T station with 192 and the minimum was in the K station with 38. However, the families, Encyrtidae and Chalcididae have maximum abundance in T and KA, respectively. The maximum activity of chalcidoid wasps was observed during June-August. The majority of the species were belonging to the family Mymaridae (25%), in LUBout habitats peaked at 47 specimens in TD during the sampling period, while the corresponding LUBin habitats peaked at 40 specimens in T. The two LUBout habitats had greater community similarity (60%) than found between in and LUBout habitats (42%) and diversity of chalcidoid wasps in LUBout was found much more than LUBin. Biodiversity studies showed that the KA station has the greatest values of diversity, evenness, and richness of Chalcidoidea. This station is located outside of Lake Urmia basin with the warmest and most humid climate and forest ecosystem on the margins of the Aras River.

The greatest damage to hazelnut is due to its pests. Filbert aphid Myzocallis coryli is one of the important pests of this tree. In order to reduce the population of hazelnut aphids, which causes severe damage to this plant, the use of biological control method based on insect pathogenic fungi in laboratory and field conditions is purposed. In this study, the effects of four isolates DEMI001, IRAN 715C, M14, V245 of M. anisopliae were used and evaluated on the second instar nymphs in laboratory (25±1 °C, 65±5% relative humidity and photoperiod 16: 8 hours dark: light) and field conditions (30±3 °C, 55±6% relative humidity and photoperiod 14:10 dark hours: Ligh). In order to evaluate the effects of four isolates from the lethal concentration for 50% of the population (LC50) probit analyses program of SPSS-21 software was used. The LC50 value achieved from the effect of, IRAN 715C, DEMI001, M14 and V245 isolates on the second instar nymphs of the aphid in laboratory and field conditions were 5. 13 ×107, 3.00 ×106, 3 . 09 ×107, 1.11 ×106 (spores/ml) and 5. 03 ×107, 1.81 ×106, 0.43 ×106, 1.5×106 (spores/ml), respectively. The results of this study showed that the isolate M14 is more effective on the second instar nymphs of this aphid. Also, for controlling the aphids’ nymphs in field conditions, a higher concentration of fungal suspension is required compared to experimental conditions. In evaluate interaction between two isolates additive or synergistic effect was not observed.

This research was conducted to study the effect of implementation forest protected plan on quantitative and qualitative characteristics, extension of Loranthus europaeus and regeneration in Salas-babajani’s Forest stands. For this purpose, in the protected and unprotected region, 40 hectares area with similar physiography and floristic condition in a range of 1250 to 1550 meters above sea level, were selected. 40 circular sample plots with 1200 m2 area in a 100*100-meter inventory grid was established in each of them. In each sample plot, the general specification of the location of the sample plot such as slope, altitude, aspect, species type, quantitative characteristics of tree (diameter at breast height, small and large diameter of the crown) measured. Independent t-test and chi-square test were used to compare quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. According to the results of this study, Quercus brantii and Crataegus sp. had the highest and lowest percentage of mixing in the forest stands of the study area, respectively. The mean of crown diameter, the percentage of healthy trees, average sprout number and the average number of Loranthus europaeus in the polluted trees in protected area were higher than unprotected area. The results of this research indicated that the forest conservation-based management has positive effect on quantitative and qualitative characteristics in protected forests and emphasized the necessity of conservation, regeneration and development of these forests.

Oribatid mites are one of the dominant soil microarthropods. These mites have an important role in increasing soil fertility through organic materials decomposition. Oribatid mite communities (Acari: Oribatida) were investigated in orchards of five regions (Ahar, Kaleibar, Varzaghan, Heris and Horand) in East Azerbaijan province, Iran. The oribatid mites were studied in each orchard (apple orchards with size of approximately 0.4 ha were selected) by collecting 12 samples taken from a maximum depth of 20 cm. Sampling was performed for six months in 2015. The oribatid species diversity (Shannon-Wiener index), Species richness (Rarefaction and Jackknife methods), Evenness by Shannon's index and similarity (Sorensen index) were calculated with Ecological Methodology 6.0 software for all the regions. A total of 75 species belonging to 57 genera and 38 families of oribatid mites were collected and identified. The highest number of species (54 spp.) was found in the orchards of Kaleibar, while the studied orchards of Varzaghan had the lowest number of species (21 spp.). One–way ANOVA analysis showed that the Shannon–Wiener species diversity was highest in Kaleibar (H = 3.409) and Ahar (H = 3.419). Also, Kaleibar and Ahar had the highest species richness (Kaleibar: 79.8 species, Ahar: 70.7 species). Among studied regions, Kaleibar and Ahar had the highest species richness and species diversity but Varzaghan showed the lowest values, apparently because of geographical and climate differences between these regions.

This research was carried out for investigating the effect of stand density on the richness and diversity of spring gallwasps species in Quercus branti stands in Sardasht forest (West Azarbaijan province). The effect of density on the diversity and richness of gallwasps was investigated in three populations with completely sparse, sparse, and relatively dense stands. A total of 30 samples with an area of 400 m2 were arranged to record the quantities of woody species and the type and frequency of gallwasps species. In each sample, the frequency and types of herbaceous species were recorded in 5 subsample (1.5×1.5 m). The results showed that there were eight gallwasps from the Cynipidae family in Sardasht forest. The Shannon evenness index of gallwasps was significantly correlated with the number of coppice, the mean diameter and the mean basal area. The Simpson species index of gallwasps was in correlation with the mean basal area. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between Shannon species diversity, Shannon evenness, and Simpson species diversity of the herbaceous species and Shannon species diversity, Shannon evenness, Simpson species diversity and Margalef species richness of gallwasps.

In order to investigate the application of Rarefaction and Jackknife numerical methods to assess the species richness Bane oak forests in Kurdistan province, three less disturbed, moderate and severe disturbed areas were selected. Three forest patches with similar physiographic conditions of each region were selected and in each patch, 3 plots of 400 square meters (on transects and at a distance of 100 meters) were taken to record the floristic information. Type and abundance of understory species in 5 micro plots with 1.5 × 1.5 m dimensions were recorded in each sample. Rarefaction and Jackknife methods as well as Margalef, Menhinic and amount of species indices were applied and were compared using of Tukey test. Margalef index mean were 6.254, 4.803, and 2 and Menhinic index mean were 1.628,1.263 and 0.794 and number of species index mean were 41.56, 32.11, 18.33 in less disturbed forest, mid-disturbed forest and severe disturbed forest, respectively. Also significant differences of abovementioned indices were observed amongst treatments. The species richness estimated through Rarefaction method 40.56, 30.99, and 17.96 for less disturbed forest, medium disturbed and severe disturbed forest, respectively and the species richness estimated by Jackknife method was 116.91, 110.114 and 69.62, respectively. Differences in the above indices between less disturbed forest and mid-disturbed forests and severe disturbed forests were significantly different. In general, according to the different sampling efforts, Rarefaction and Jackknife methods would present more accurate estimation of the species richness.

The acorn (oak nut) is attacked by Coleoptera and Hymenoptera and another insects before and after falling from trees to ground surface because of large food capacity. This study has been done to investigate the effect of pests of acorn damages on regeneration of Persian oak (Quercus brantii Lindl) in Arghavan valley oak forests of Ilam city in west of Iran. For this purpose, acorns from south direction at different elevation classes in six oak forest sites were collected. The collected acorns transferred to the laboratory and their weights were measured with digital scale and they were placed in some special plastic containers in order to overwinter the acorn-eating pests. Also a number of infected and infested acorns were planted in the nursery in order to study the effect of pests on their germination potential. The results of study showed that in the study area, two oak nut pests, Curculio glandium Marsham and Cydia fagiglandana Zeller caused damages to acorns. The precent of C. glandium damages was higher than C. fagiglandana. Percentage of C. glandium damage was 71.9% and C. fagiglandana damage was 28.1%. The highest infestation rate was on algae pests at 1900 m above sea level elevation, and the lowest at 1700 meter altitude. The falling acorns have highest percent of infection than the acorns which still remain on tree branches. Germination percentage of healthy seeds was 74.8% and germination percentage of infected seeds was 25.2%. The results of planted nuts showed that infected seed had much lower germination potential than healthy nuts. The percentage of contaminated seeds under the trees was 60.4% and the infected seeds on the crown of trees were 39.6%. Also, healthy seeds had more weighted mean (α=5%) than contaminated seeds. So in planting oak seeds we could avoid the seeds with any sign of pests that collected from high altitudes.

Introduction Various pests attack oak trees and in most cases heavily damage them. The European oak leaf roller is one of the important oak pests in some provinces of the Zagros, and it is an important pest of oak forests in some European and North African countries, as well as in Iraq and other regions of Iran. In Iran, it is scattered in the Zagros oak forests, especially in Kohkiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, Lorestan, Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari, Fars, and West Azarbaijan Provinces. Repeated removal of oak leaves, particularly by herbivores such as T. viridana in spring, reduces stored photosynthates in trees leading to their decreased diametrical growth.
Materials and Methods The Ghabre-Hossein region (Piranshahr) was selected as the field operations region because it is one of the most important infestation centers of the European oak leaf roller in the oak forests of West-Azerbaijan. The research was carried out in two consecutive years. Samples of larval instars were taken in early May. Since the sample plot in sampling methods can be points or lines (transects), the four cardinal directions were selected in this study and transects at 100 m intervals were located in each direction.To reduce sampling error, Aleppo (Quercus infectoria) and Lebanon (Q. libani) oak trees were selected for measurements that were similar in appearance and almost uniform with crowns or trunks aligned along the transects. In each studied tree, four suitable branches were selected (one in each cardinal direction), and the number of larvae from the tip of each branch to a length of 50 cm inwards was counted and recorded in forms prepared beforehand. Considering studies that were carried out regarding the biology of the pest, the larvae were counted in mid-May when all larvae were in their last (fifth) instar. In all, 30 Aleppo and 30 Lebanon oak trees were selected in each cardinal direction, and four branches in each direction of these trees were measured. The survey method was used by employing a 25 m rope, a slope gauge, and a compass to locate the sampling transects. SPSS 18 and the 2×4 factorial split plot in time design were used as the statistical method for studying the effects of various cardinal directions and of oak species on abundance of the European oak leaf roller, and Tukey’s HSD test was employed for comparison of the means.
Results and Discussion This pest has a single annual generation and five larval instars. It overwinters, and spends the entire summer, autumn, and winter, as eggs. Eggs are hatch in late March. Larvae pierce buds to enter into and feed inside them, and large larvae can leave buds and start feeding on other buds. The results showed that in both years the number of leaf-roller moth larvae were more on Q. infectoria in comparison to Lebanon oaks and it seems that oak species (Q. infectoria) is more preferable for the pest to feed upon than Lebanon oaks. Studying populational changes of the oak leaf-roller moth in the geographical directions proved that for both of the tree species the maximum and the minimum number of larvae were respectively in the east and the west in 2014. In 2015, it also became clear that the highest and the lowest frequency of the larvae were respectively in the south and the north. The obtained results confirmed the influence of wind direction on distribution orientation of leaf-roller moth larvae. The number of oak leaf-roller moth larvae significantly increased in 2015 in comparison to the previous year which can be due to the temperature increase in this year.
Conclusions The number of larvae of the European oak leaf roller on Aleppo oak trees was larger compared to Lebanon oak trees both in 2014 and in 2015, which shows this pest prefers Aleppo oak trees over Lebanon oak trees as its food supply. The number of larvae on both oak species in 2015 was considerably larger compared to the previous year, which may have been caused by increased temperatures in 2015. Study of population changes of the pest in the cardinal directions indicated that the maximum and minimum numbers of larvae on both oak species in 2014 were observed in the eastern and western cardinal directions, respectively, and that the maximum larval concentration occurred in the eastern direction of tree crowns. The dominant wind in the region blew from the southwest, and seemed to be the main reason why larval concentration and distribution occurred in the eastern direction (that was not influenced by wind currents). In 2015 also, the maximum and minimum abundance of larvae were observed in the southern and northern cardinal directions, respectively. Moreover, the largest larval concentration occurred in the northern direction of tree crowns, with the dominant wind in the region blowing in the northeast direction, which demonstrated the direct influence of wind on the orientation and distribution of the European oak leaf roller population. Results obtained in 2014 and 2015 showed that orientation and distribution of the European oak leaf roller can be influenced by wind direction and temperature.

Among ecological communities, insects are important bio-indicators of wildfire disturbance due to their sensitivity to environmental changes and habitat requirements. In this research, we studied the relationship between the temporal effect of wildfire and macro-fauna abundance and biodiversity in an oak forest located in Sardasht, West Azerbaijan. We compared three sites differing in fire history as well as three control sites. Fifteen samples (0.5× 0.5× 0.3 m) were selected for each above-mentioned treatment along transects in both burned and control plots. Totally, 210 insect specimens belonging to 18 orders and 27 families were collected. We applied analysis of variance and Duncan test for the analysis of normal continuous data and chi-square test for the analysis of discrete data or abundance. Results indicated that the occurrence of fire reduced the richness of macro-fauna in the burned areas compared to the control areas, but the temporal effect of fire on the macro-fauna resulted in increasing of the richness of the macro-fauna in years after fire occurrence. Both Coleoptera and Diplura were also present in all study area and wildfire had no effect on Diplura. But the temporal effect of fire on Coleoptera was evident and the abundance of this order was added by passing the time of the fire. Diptera and Ants (Hymenoptera) also, over time, had been returned to the burned areas and their frequency has been increased. So the return of insects to their habitat needs over a period of time about 1 to 2 years by improving the microclimatic environment and the regrowth of plants.

The oak leaf roller moth (Tortrix viridana L.) is one of the most important oak pests in Iran. In order to investigate fluctation changes of this pest, weekly samplings of its different life stages were done in West-Azerbayjan. The number of larval instars were determined by growing and measuring the head capsula width of 1000 larvae at different ages. The effect of host plant on weight changes of final instar larvae and pupae on three oak species of Quercus infectoria, Q. brantii and Q. libani was studied. Populational changes of adult insects were investigated using 10 triangle pheromone traps. Five larval instars were determined for this pest. Neonate larvae of the pest start their activities from late March in Mirabad and from early April in Paradanan. The formed larvae and pupae on gall oak (Q. infectoria) weigh more than there growing on two other oak species. Adult insects were first captured on May 23 in Mirabad (6.2 insects in each trap). The highest degree of pest capture was also recorded at the peak
time of pest population with the average of 132 insects in each trap in Mirabad which indicates that this area is highly infected with the pest. The oak leaf roller moths stopped their activity in mid-July in all of the studied areas.

The oak leaf-roller moth (Tortrix viridana L.) damages the Zagros forests greatly by feeding upon leaves and sprouts of different species. The current study was carried out in 2015 in order to investigate the influence of cardinal directions on quantity features of oak tree and on the demographic changes of oak leaf-roller moth in Ghabr-e-Hosein area (Piranshahr) located in oak forests of west Azerbayjan. In every main geographical directions 30 gall oak trees (Quercus infectoria) and 30 Lebanon Oak trees (Q. libani) was measured using transect method and the pest larvae were counted from the branch tip inward and also quantity features of the host trees were recorded. Results showed that the maximum crown diameter was on the east while the minimum was on the south and north. The highest and lowest diameters at breast height (DBHs) were on the south and north, respectively. In addition, results showed significant differences (p

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of destroying the understory species diversity using frequency distribution model has been discussed. Three forest patches with similar physiographic conditions of each region were selected and in each patch, 3 plots of 400 square meters (on transects and at a distance of 100 meters) were taken to record the floristic information. Type and abundance of understory species in 5 micro plots with 1.5 × 1.5 m dimensions were recorded in each sample. Broken stick model of distribution, lognormal, geometric series and logarithmic series were fitted for each treatment and the best distribution model based on the p˃0.5 was selected. The three treatments using diversity ordering curves (Renyi), and k-dominance were compared. Based on all models both less disturbed and middle disturb forest had high diversity compare to severe disturb forest.

Different species of willow trees are used in preparation of essences, paper, medical engineering. In watershed management and agriculture they are important as a renewable sources of energy. Unfortunately, these trees are infested with various pests which reduce the plant growth and causing reduction of the quality and quantity of the wood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and species diversity of willow pests in West Azerbaijan province, Iran. In this study, five watersheds, Barandoz, Mahabad, Zangmar, Zola and Zab, were selected for sampling from April to September 2015. In each region, 10 trees of Salix alba were selected and from each, 4 branches at the height of 1.5-2 m in four cardinal directions were inspected. Species diversity indices of Simpson, Shannon, Brillouin and Simpson and Shannon evenness indices were calculated. The number of 21 species of pests were identified and the results showed that the most frequent of willow pests was registered in the Zangmar region and the lowest in Zab region, respectively. The highest indices of Simpson, Shannon and Brillouin were 0.87, 3.39 and 3.34 which were observed in Mahabad region. The findings of this research show that the role of willow species, sub-species and climate should be considered as important factors in diversity and distribution of willow pests.

Oak decline is an expression used for describing the death and drying up of Oak trees. The current study aimed to evaluate the relationship between different geographical directions, locatios and the factors leading to Quercus brantii decline in Shurab forest, Accordingly, in the study area (150 h), a sampling network with the dimensions of 200*200 meters was designed on a regular-random basis and trees were measured by 1500_square_meter circular plots (radius is 21.85 m). In each plot, information such as the position of the plot, tree species, diameter at breast height, type of pollution, pollution severity, and tree’s vigor were recorded. The results indicated that there is a significant relationship at the 0.05 level between type of pollution, severity and vigor of trees and the geographical location and direction of the plots. The highest percentage of healthy trees and those polluted less than 25% were located in Ridge. In all locations and aspects the Frequency of insects was registered more than the other pests and diseases (Oak Charcoal Disease).This study showed that aspect and location play an important role in the severity of the pollution and Oak decline trees, Pests and diseases cause tree mortality and significant changes in the structure of the forest depending on stand conditions.

Land use change, deforestation, grazing, intentional and unintentional fire and invasive pests and diseases are all the major cause of damage to the Zagros forest ecosystem. The green oak leaf roller (Tortrix viridana L.) is one of the important pests of Zagros forests. Larvae of the pest significantly damage the oak forests with feeding on leaves and buds of different species of oaks each year. Larvae enter 2'd instar after eating the internal contents of oak buds, then the third and 4th instars larvae consume whole buds and even oak leaves. After development to the 5th larval instar, they roll the leaves and enter the pupal stage. The attacked trees revitalize by creating new leaves from early May onwards. New leaves, pale green and are smaller than normal leaves. Continuation of the pest activity on Quercus species causes gradual weakness the trees and readiness to accept a variety of secondary pests and diseases in later years. Based on the status of Zagros forests and their importance in the conservation of soil and water sources, the nutritional indices of Tortrix viridana larvae of two species of Oak i.e. Quercus infectoria and Q. libani were determined to get a better understanding of this pest.
Since early April, with regular visits, last instar larvae (5th instar) of T. viridana in oak forests in Perdanan areas (around the village Ghabr Hossein) were collected and transferred to the laboratory chamber. The larvae were fed on the two oak species. The leaves of these species were collected and transported to the laboratory in a room at a temperature of 25°C and suitable photoperiod conditions. The larvae were fed individually or in a group. In a grouping method, 10 larvae in two replicates and in individually method 40 larvae (one larva per replicate) for each host were considered. Larval weight, amount of consumed food and weight of feces were estimated by using a sensitive digital Carriage scale (0.001 gr). Relative consumption rate (RCR), relative growth rate (RGR), the efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), the efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) and approximate digestibility (AD) were also calculated. For statistical analysis t-test and SPSS17 software were used to compare the mean of the data.
Results of t-test (α=5%) indicated that the larval biomass, RGR, ECI, and AD were significantly different among the hosts in both methods of grouping and individually rearing of the larvae. In this study, Q. libani showed the lowest rate of digestibility. The larvae fed on Q. infectoria have the higher rate of AD than Q. libani because of high RCR, RGR, ECD and ECI. Also, the results related to the comparison of two methods (grouping and individually rearing of the larvae), on nutritional indices were significantly different and in both host trees, the rate of RGR, ECI and ECD in grouping method was more than individually rearing method. RCR is the indication of the insect's exploitation speed of food. In the other words, it shows feeding rate regarding insect's weight at the specific point of time depending on the amount of water and other nutrition physicochemical characteristics in insects. The result showed that this index rate in group rearing method on two host species is equal, but in individual rearing method on Q. infectoria, it is more than Q. libani. The possible reasons are more feeding of larvae in individual rearing method due to the lack of competition stress, the more likelihood of the desirability of Q. infectoria compared to Q. libani, the probability of the existence of antixenosis in Q. libani. The similar study investigating individual and group rearing methods in one insect species is not available. This result confirms that T. viridana larvae’s has a tendency toward social life and in the group situation, they eat effectively. In fact, although larvae in individual form feed more because of lack of competition stress, but in the group they make use of that little food in the best way.
In this study, Q. libani had low food quality. As a result, its relative consumption rate, relative growth rate, the efficiency of conversion of ingested food and efficiency of conversion of digested food was less than Q. infectoria. According to the results, Q. infectoria is an appropriate host for this pest. Also, it shows that the larvae were more considering the rate of larval biomass, RCR, RGR, ECI and ECD in grouping method than the single method.