فهرست مطالب younes karimpour

Through a survey conducted in West Azarbaijan province, northwestern Iran in 2022, infested fruits of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Elaeagnaceae) were collected. Anarsia eleagnella Kuznetsov, 1957 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was obtained from laboratory rearing. A parasitic wasp was collected in the rearing container that was identified under Hyssopus geniculatus (Hartig, 1838) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). This parasitoid is a primary ectoparasitoid and a new record of H. geniculatus on A. eleagnella. Also, the association of H. geniculatus with E. angustifolia and the family Elaeagnaceae is new. Notes on the diagnostic characters of H. geniculatus are provided and illustrations of A. eleagnella and H. geniculatus are presented. The feeding behaviour of A. eleagnella larvae is preliminarily studied. Finally, the colour variations of the collected H. geniculatus specimens compared to the published literature are discussed.

The longhorn beetle, Hesperophanes pilosus Bodungen, 1908, (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) is recorded as new for the Iranian fauna. The adult specimens were obtained by rearing its larvae and pupa in the root crown of Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) Bieb. (Amaranthaceae), which were collected around of Soldoz wetland in West Azarbaijan province. Hesperophanes pilosus has been reported only from the Republic of Azerbaijan. This is the first case of host identification for H. pilosus. Notes on diagnostic characters, life history along with related photographs are provided.

This is the first case of host record for parasitoid wasps of the genus Diglyphus Walker (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from the Anthomyiidae (Diptera) family. This result is based on specimens of D. anadolucus Doğanlar, 1982 which reared from parasitized larval specimen of Pegomya terebrans (Rondani) as a leaf miner of cotton thistle, Onopordum acanthium L. (Asteraceae). Diglyphus anadolucus is reported from Iran for the first time. Some biological notes and morphological characteristics of D. anadolucus along with related photographs are given. An updated checklist of the twelve known Diglyphus species in Iran togther with their host associations is also provided.

Considering the importance of the species of the genus Diglyphus Walker, 1844 (Hym., Eulophidae: Eulophinae) in the biological control of leafminers, a faunal study was conducted during 2018–2020 in alfalfa fields in West Azarbaijan province, northwestern Iran. Six Diglyphus species were collected and identified, i.e. Diglyphus crassinervis Erdös, 1958; D. isaea (Walker, 1838); D. poppoea Walker, 1848; D. propodealis Szelényi, 1978; D. pusztensis (Erdös & Novicky, 1951); and D. sabulosus Erdös, 1951; of which D. propodealis is a new record for Iranian fauna, that is known just from its type locality, Hungary. Notes on diagnostic characters and illustrations of D. propodealis are given. Its association with alfalfa fields is the first association report. All six reported species are new to the West Azarbaijan province. A distribution map of reported species is provided and the known Diglyphus species in association with alfalfa in Iran are also reviewed.

The gall midges, Janetiella convolvuli Mirumyan & Skuhravá, 2017 and Orseolia cynodontis Kieffer & Massalongo, 1902 are discovered in Iran for the first time based on adult specimens reared from galls on Convolvulus arvensis L. (Convolvulaceae) and Cynodon dactylon (L.) Persoon (Poaceae), respectively. The galls of J. convolvuli and O. cynodontis were previously recorded only in Armenia and European/African sections of the western part of the Palaearctic region, respectively. Some relevant diagnostic characters, photographs, ecological and biological notes, and distributional data for the newly recorded species are provided.

Based on materials recently collected in Iran and Armenia, jewel-beetle Sphenoptera (Chrysoblemma) orichalcea (Pallas, 1781) is reported for the first time for Iranian fauna, and occurrence of the species in Armenia is also reconfirmed. Some diagnostic characters, ecological and biological notes along with photographs are provided.

Species of the genus Necremnus Thomson, 1878 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Iran are reviewed based on published data and the newly collected specimens in West Azarbaijan province. The genus in Iran is represented by only two species N. leucarthros (Nees, 1834) and N. tidius (Walker, 1839). Hereby, two additional species N. artynes (Walker, 1839) and N. cosmopterix Ribes & Bernardo, 2015 are also identified as new records for the fauna of Iran. Necremnus tidius (Walker, 1839) was also found in Northwestern Iran as a new local distributional record. An illustrated key for identifying the known Necremnus species from Iran and a short description of the newly recorded species are provided. The distribution map of the Iranian species is also presented.

Field and laboratory surveys were carried out to study the biology of cotton thistle leaf miner, Pegomya terebrans (Rondani) in Urmia region. The results showed that the host plant species of this fly are restricted to three species of plants belonging to tribe Cynareae (Asteraceae), including Italian thistle Carduus pycnocephalus L. and two species of cotton thistle namely Onopordum acanthium L. and O. leptolepis DC.. The species has only one generation per year and hibernates as adults. After overwintering, adults become active and mate in late March. Fertile females begin oviposition in early April. The eggs are laid either singly or in groups of up to five in irregular shape under the leaves of the host plants. Depending on the daily temperature, they hatch within 6-10 days and young larvae immediately bores into the leaf and begins consumption in tissues between the leaf surfaces. The species has three larval instars and larval developmental time is 21 to 27 days in natural conditions. The full grown third instar larvae fall to the ground and pupate in the soil at a depth of 1 to 3 cm which its period lasts 4 to 5 months. The emergence of flies begins in mid-October and continues until late-November. They remain inactive for about five months in autumn and winter and become active in early spring, again. The larvae of P. terebrans were parasitized by Biosteres spinaciae (Thomson) in the studied region. Parasitic association between B. spinaciae and P. terebrans is reported for the first time.

The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus), is the most important pest in apple orchards. In order to successfully control of the pest, using phenological forecasting models is necessary. Phenological forecasting models are basically provided using temperature-dependent phenology of the pests. Estimation of the most important eco-physiological indices of pests is essential for the preparation and use of a high-performance, accurate forecasting model. Therefore, current study was conducted to determine temperature-dependent development trend and to estimate the most important thermal indices of three established populations of the codling moth in Tehran, West Azerbaijan, and Esfahan provinces. Results showed differences among the values of the estimated thermal index in studied populations. Estimated values of the low temperature threshold were 8.32, 8.19, and 9.85°C for total immature stages of Tehran, West Azerbaijan, and Esfahan provinces, respectively. Additionally, estimated values of the thermal requirement were 622.74, 633.20, and 695.84 Degree-Days for the total immature stages of the mentioned populations, respectively. The results of this study showed differences in thermal adaptations of different populations of codling moth located in different regions of Iran. This information is necessary to develop a precise forecasting model based on the heat requirement (GDD or GDH) of key pests in each geographical locations.

The Syrian bean-caper hawk moth, Hyles zygophylli L., is distributed in the eastern Palaearctic region and feeds on the leaves of the Syrian bean caper, Zygophyllum fabago L. In order to study the life history traits and its parasitoids, continuous rearing was conducted in field and laboratory conditions. The results showed that H. zygophylli completed four generations within the growing season and hibernate as pupal stage in the soil at a depth of 2 to 6 cm. The annual life cycle of the species begins in late April with the emergence of adults from overwintering pupae and ends in early October with the pupation of fourth-generation larvae. Adult hawk moths 2-3 days after emergence mates and begin laying eggs in irregular shape on the stems and underside of leaves. They are spherical shape, light green and 1.1 ± 0.1 mm in diameter. Depends on daily temperature, the incubation period takes 3-5days. The larval development time takes 18-25 days and pupal stage lasted 12-16 days. Laval development were completed in five larval instars. The maximum length (in rest position), head capsule, and weight of completely developed larvae were 6.6-6.9 mm, 4.9 mm, and 3.8-4.9 gr, respectively. The larvae and pupa of H. zygophylli were parasitized by two species of tachinid and chalcid flies namely, Masicera sphingivora (R.-D.), Tachina praeceps Meigen and Proconura barbara Masi in Urmia region. The association of parasitoids with H. zygophylli are reported for the first time.

The hymenopteran family Platygastridae is a large group of parasitic wasps. A survey was carried out on the subfamily Sceliotrachelinae (Hym.: Platygastridae) in East Azerbaijan and Fars provinces of Iran. The genus Fidobia Ashmead and three species, Allotropa conventus Maneval, Fidiobia hofferi Kozlov and Isolia mongolica (Kozlov) are newly recorded from Iran. Illustrations of the morphological characteristics and their geographical distribution are presented.

Puncture vine, Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) is a summer annual, aggressive and cosmopolitan weed species. The biology of Microlarinus lareynii, as a seed-eating biocontrol agent of puncture vine, was studied in Urmia region. The results revealed that, the weevil completes three generation per year and overwinters as an adult in plant litters. Adults emerge from the overwintering sites in mid-June. After emerging, they start to feed on the undersides of stems and mate from time to time. Then females chew holes into the burr, and lay eggs singly in the each hole. The eggs were covered by females for protection. The duration of incubation period lasted 3.4±0.8 d. Upon hatching the young larvae bore into the fruit where she feeds on the seeds. The larval and pupal development takes 17.8±2.6 and 6.2±1.5 d, respectively. Therefore, the time from oviposition to adult emergence takes 29.0±2.1d in natural conditions. The larvae of M. lareynii were parasitized by three species of Bracon Fabricius in Urmia region. Including, B. intercessor Nees, B. trucidator Marshal and B. murgabensis Tobias. The association of M. lareynii with B. trucidator and B. murgabensis are new. Furthermore, this is the first parasitoids report for M. lareynii from Iran.

Three species of the genus Inostemma Haliday (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae), i.e. Inostemma discessus Szelenyi, I. koponeni Buhl and I. contariniae Szelenyi are reported as new records for the Iranian fauna. Inostemma discessus was reared for the first time from Ephedra gall midge, Ephedromyia debilopalpis Marikovskij (Dip.: Cecidomyiidae) on Ephedra sp. (Plantae: Ephedraceae) in the northwest Iran. The Iranian species of the genus Inostemma were listed.

The predatory bug, Andrallus spinidens (F.) is one of the most important biological control agents of lepidopteran pests in rice fields of Iran. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of six recommendedpesticides (including 3 insecticides, 2 fungicides and 1 herbicide) on A. spinidens thorough a completely randomized design (CRD) replicated 6 times. The ingestion method was performed on the 4th–instar nymphs of the predator. Pesticides concentration were prepared based on the field recommended doses. Distilled water was used as the control. Newly emerged 4th instar nymphs provided with 2–ml of pesticides inside small containers for 24 hours. Thereafter, the survived nymphs were provided with distilled water and 2–3 last instar larvae of Galleria mellonella. The experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions at 25±0.5 °C, 70±5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 h (L: D). Mortality was recorded daily until the adult emergence. The results revealed that maximum reduction in fecundity of A. spinidens occurred in Fipronil, Diazinon and Malathion treatments and the minimum reduction was observed in Pretilachlor treatment compared with that of control. Based on the total effect of IOBC classification, Fipronil, Diazinon and Malathion insecticides with 100% mortality were placed in the class 4 (harmful). Similarly, E+C and Tricyclazol fungicides were grouped in class 3 (Moderately harmful) with 86.84% and 91.58% total effect, respectively. Pretilachlor herbicide, with 74.39% mortality was placed in category 2 (slightly offensive). Therefore, if field results are confirmed, studied insecticides are not suitable candidates for integrated pest management programs in rice when the predator is active.

Based on this survey 23 species of family Laelapidae have been identified which three species of them are reported as new for Iranian mites fauna, that are marked with asterisk. The list of identified genera and species is as follows: Laelapidae: Gaeolaelaps aculeifer (Canestrini, 1884); G. oreithyiae (Walter and Oliver, 1989); G. angustus (Karg, 1965); G. kargi (Costa, 1968); G. nolli (Karg, 1962); G. khajooii Kazemi, Rajaei and Beaulieu, 2014; Pneumolaelaps (Hypoaspisella) linteyini (Samsinak, 1964); P. (H.) berlesei* (Hirschmann, 1969);Cosmolaelaps vacua (Michael, 1891); C. lutegiensis (Shcherbak, 1971); C. malakutsilus* Rosario, 1981; C. ornatus (Berlese,1903); C. angustiscutatus (Willmann, 1951); Laelaspis astronomicus (C. L. Koch, 1839); L. equitans (Michael, 1891); Ololaelaps sellnicki* Bregetova and Koroleva, 1964; Euandrolaelaps karawaiewi (Berlese, 1903); Hypoaspis larvicolus Joharchi and Halliday, 2011; Pogonolaelaps canestrinii (Berlese, 1903); Gymnolaelaps artavilensis Joharchi and Halliday, 2013; Pseudoparasitus dentatus (Halbert, 1920); Androlaelaps casalis (Berlese, 1887); A. shealsi (Costa, 1968)

The biology of Lixus fasciculatus Boheman, was studied on Artemisia vulgaris L. (Asteraceae) in the fields and field margins of Urmia region. The results revealed that, the weevil completes a single generation per year and overwinters as mature larvae inside the dried stems of host plant. Adults emerge from the dead stems, in early May. After emerging, they start to feed on the leaf tissues of the host plants and mate from time to time. Females then chew holes into the stem, and lay eggs singly in the each hole. The eggs were covered with plant fibers by females for protection. Female's fecundity was calculated as 23.4±4.6 (range: 17-32). In the natural conditions, the incubation period takes 8.3±1.8 (range: 6-11) days. Upon hatching, the young larvae bore into the stem where they feed on the tissue. The fully developed larvae make pupal cell in the stem and eventually pupate in it. Larval stage takes more than 10 months to complete inside the stem. The mature larvae stay inside the stem until late-April of the following year. The pupal stage begins in mid-April and depending on the environmental conditions lasts 13.2±4.5 (range: 11-19) days. The new generation of adults appears in the late April. The larvae of L. fasciculatus were parasitized by Rhaconotus aciculatus Ruthe, 1854 (Hym.: Braconidae), Schizoprymnus telengai Tobias, 1976 (Hym.: Braconidae) and Eurytoma ussuriensis Zeova (1995) (Hym.: Eurytomidae) in Urmia region. The association of L. fasciculatus with mentioned parasitoids are new findings. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. telengai and E. ussuriensis from Iran.

The common reed wasp, Tetramesa phragmitis (Erdös, 1952), is newly recorded from Iran. It was collected during surveys on biocontrol agents of common reed, Pharagmites australis (Cav.) (Poaceae), in the West Azarbaidjan province, Urmia. The species is belonged to Trans-Palaearctic region.

Many species of the family Syrphidae are predators of pests, especially aphids. To study the predacious syrphid species of rapeseed fields of Kermanshah, we assembled a sizable collection of syrphids between 2013-2015. The result showed the existence of 12 species in these fields of which the species Eupeodes corollae F. was found to be the predominant species. The length of growth periods and feeding capability of this species was studied on cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) at 3 different temperatures. The growth period means of this fly are 22.45, 18.82 and 15.17 days at 20, 25 and 30oC respectively. The predation rate of E. corollae on third instar nymphs of B. brassicae at 20, 25 and 30°C significantly decreased with increasing temperature with a mean value of 371.07, 283.00 and 253.13, respectively. There were significant differences between daily and total feeding rates of the first, second and third instar larvae of E. corollae at various temperatures. The results suggest that 25ºC was the optimum temperature for both survival and feeding of E. corollae. As the temperature increases of the feeding rate reduces during periods of growth. The lowest mortality rate occurred at 25°C.

Lobesia botrana Den. & Schiff. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and Uncinula necator (Schw.)Burr. (Erysiphe necator) are among the most important pests and pathogens in all vineyards in the world and in Iran. At present the most common method of control used is by chemical pesticides. In the present study, the efficacy of the combination of each insecticide lufox (Lufox® EC 10.5%) (1.5 l/1000 L) and phosalone (Zolon® EC 35%) (1.5 l/ha) separately with the fungicide penconazole (Topaz® EW 20%) (125 ml/100 l water) after three times spraying on three generations of the pest L. botrana and the disease was investigated. Percentage of infected clusters and each single grape in a cluster were the factors evaluated. The present experiment was performed based on a randomized complete blocks design with 6 treatments (5 treatments and a control) with three replications. The results obtained show that combination of Lufox with Topaz treatment for L. botrana with an average infection of 1.15±0.34 of clusters in 520 clusters (0.29% infection in each cluster) was lower compared with the infection resulted when the combination of phosalone with Topaz was used with 4.89±0.66 cluster, in 411 clusters (1.19% infection in each cluster). In powdery mildew disease, combination of Lufox with Topaz showed an average infectionof 0.32±0.06 cluster in 520 clusters (0.06% infection in each cluster),showed more effective control than the combination of Zolon with Topaz with an average infection of 0.59±0.06 cluster in 411 clusters (0.14% infection per cluster). According to the results, the mixture of Lufox insecticide with Topaz (penconazole) fungicide is recommended for the simultaneous control of L. botrana and E. necator in vineyards of the country which may also result in the optimum application of chemical pesticides and therefore safety of the environment.

Cotton thistles, Onopordum spp. (Asteraceae), are native plants belong to Mediterranean basin, southwest and central Asia. Their reproduction is entirely by seed and the plants are biennial. The biology of cotton thistles stem-boring weevil, Lixus cardui Olivier, was studied on Onopordum acanthium and O. leptolepis in fields and rangelands in Urmia. The results of this study showed that, the stem-boring weevil has a single generation per year and overwinters as adult whithin the dried stems of host plants. The adults emerge from the dead stems, in late April. After emerging, they start to feed on the leaf tissues of host plants and mate from time to time. Then females chew holes into the stem, and lay eggs either singly or in batches of up to 5 in a row the each hole. Females cover their eggs with plant fiber that had been chewed away to make the hole for protection. Each female laid a mean of 35±3.63 eggs during her life span. Eggs hatch 6-8 days after oviposition and the young larvae bore into the stem and feed on the tissue. The full grown larvae produce pupal cell in the stem and eventually pupate. After 9-13 days, pupa develops into a new generation of adults within the stems in summer. These adults remain inactive in the dried stems until the following spring. The total life cycle from egg to adult ranges from 37 to 48 days under natural conditions.

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA)، Diuraphis noxia has been known as a major pest of small grains، particularly wheat worldwide. This study evaluated the biological responses of RWA to six wheat cultivars including Yavarus، Pishgam، Aadl، Omid، Darab 2 and Sepahan. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions of 25 ± 5 °C، 55 ± 10 % R. H. and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h. Resistance or susceptibility of cultivares against the aphid nymphal development time، adult fecundity، daily reproduction، total longevity and adult longevity were investigated. The ANOVA of the data indicated that there were significant differences (P < 0. 05) among cultivars regarding duration of nymphal development time، fecundity and daily reproduction. The longest mean nymphal development time was obtained on Omid and Sepahan، and the shortest on Yavarus. The highest and the lowest total fecundity were observed on Yavarus and Omid، respectively. Also، the highest and the lowest mean offspring produced per female per day (daily reproduction) was observed on Yavarus and Omid، respectively. On the whole، Yavarus appeared to be susceptible to the Russian wheat aphid while Omid was resistant.