The mill moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller and Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) are two injuriously important pests of stored products worldwide. Harobracon hebetor (Say) has been used as a biological control agent of moth’s larva in peanut storehouses and as well in packaged cereal products. In the present study, the efficacy of H. hebetor in parasitizing larva of the mill moth and of the Indian meal moth was evaluated at different densities of parasitoid (1, 2 and 4 pairs) and host larvae (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32) in a growth chamber set at 25±1 °C, 65±5 RH, and 14L:10D photoperiodism. When one pair of parasitoid released, the number of eggs laid was increased at the densities of 1, 2, 4 and 8 larvae of either host, respectively but, it decreased at the densities of 16 and 32 larvae of either host. Also, the number of emerged females and adults of wasp were increased at the densities of 1, 2, 4 and 8 larvae of both hosts, respectively but, did not significantly increased at the densities of 16 and 32 larvae of either host. When two pairs of parasitoid were released, the highest number of eggs laid was observed at the density of 16 larvae of the mill moth. Whereas, the number of eggs laid at the densities of 4, 8, 16 and 32 larvae of the Indian meal moth were significantly higher than those for the other larval densities. Also, the number of emerged females and adults of wasp increased at the densities of 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 larvae of either host, respectively but, they did not significantly increase at the density of 32 larvae for either host. When four pairs of the parasitoid released, the number of eggs laid at the densities of 8 and 16 larvae of either host was found significantly higher than those for the other larval densities. Also, the number of emerged females and adults of wasp increased at the densities of 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 larvae of either host, respectively but, did not significantly increase for the density of 32 larvae in either host. Based on the results obtained it can be concluded that at one pair of parasitoid treatment, a number of 8 larvae of either host, at the two and four pairs of parasitoid treatments, a number of either 16 or 32 larvae of either host form the most suitable combinations for a mass rearing of H. hebetor.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological traits of the native isolate (K29) of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), Acrobeloides maximus, from Kerman region against the larvae of Zeuzera pyrina L. (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) the serious pest of walnut trees in Iran. Main purposes were determining the pathogenicity intensities in plate and branch, relationship between host body size and susceptibility to EPNs and reproduction and penetration potential of EPN. Plate assays were performed using a range of EPN concentrations (5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 infective juveniles (IJs) per larva) in laboratory. The LC50 of A. maximus K29 was 12.1 IJs larva-1 against Z. pyrina larvae after 72 h. This EPN caused high insect mortality in branch experiments and dissection of cadavers confirmed nematode infection. The addressing relation between host body size and susceptibility of larvae to nematode showed higher mortality rates in the larger larvae after exposing to A. maximus K29 isolate. The results of the penetration and reproduction assays indicated that A. maximus K29 was able to successfully penetrate and reproduce in the haemocoels of Z. pyrina and G. mellonella larvae. The highest reproduction was recorded at 20 IJs larva-1 in Z. pyrina (30560.5±559.3 IJs). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that A. maximus K29, is virulent to Z. pyrina larvae and it causes infection and successfully recycles in this pest. Notwithstanding the effectiveness of this pathogenic agent on Z. pyrina larvae, further studies are required for better track of infection of treated larvae within the walnut tree trunks.

In order to identify trends and provide suitable diet for Schizothorax zarudnyi, the activity of alpha-amylase, trypsin, and lipase in five treatment groups including: fertilized egg, newly-hatched larvae, the larvae a day, larvae absorbed in the bag 2/ 3 yolk and absorption of yolk sac larvae, in 20 embryonated eggs and 80 larvae at the end of 53 days were studied. Analysis of the data showed that in all five groups of fish eggs and larvae, the activity of the alpha-amylase enzyme is even more. Most of the activity of the enzyme alpha-amylase in the bottom of the absorption of the yolk sac (59. 63±4. 4 IU/ mg protein (and lowest in the 2/3 absorb the yolk sac (7. 78±0. 5 IU/ mg protein) seen. The activity of alpha-amylase enzyme in the process of absorbing the yolk sac in comparison with the other groups were significantly different (p < 0. 05). Results showed that the activity of the trypsin and lipase enzyme from egg to larvae four-day rising trend, and highest of their activities observed at the end of yolk sac absorption stage. In assessing enzymes trypsin and lipase were not observed significant difference between the 3-day-old larvae and 4-day-old larvae (p > 0/05), but the larvae 4 days fertilized eggs and newly hatched larvae were significant differences (p < 0/05).

Strengthen defense mechanisms with immune system stimulants like probiotics, it is a good way to prevent diseases and increase the efficiency of reproduction and breeding in fishers. Bacillus and Lactobacillus are a group of gram-positive bacteria and previous studies have shown that the use of these bacteria improves immunity and reproductive factors in aquaculture. In this study, the combined effects of optimal concentrations of two probiotics, Bacillus and Lactobacillus, on qualitative indicators including: larval stage index (LSI), larval condition index (LCI), larval dry weight, larval survival, Simultaneity of larval maturation to post larvae, time of emergence of first post larvae, duration of larval period and salinity and formalin stress tests in order to investigate Improvements in qualitative growth indices and immune system of Vannami shrimp larvae were examined. For this purpose, two concentrations of 3×105 (B1) and 6×105 (B2) CFU/g from of bacterial suspension mixtures Bacillus probiotic and two concentrations of 3×106 (L1) and 6×106 (L2) CFU/g from of bacterial suspension mixtures probiotic Lactobacillus in combination includes: B1L1, B1L2, B2L1 and B2L2 were added to the water of Vannami shrimp larval reservoirs. The results showed that the larval quality indices at different levels of combined probiotics differed significantly from the control treatment and the best results were at level 4, respectively: Survival was 61±3.41, dry weight was 143±5.48, larval maturation reached was 1.26±0.02, the time of emergence of the first larval post was 7.5±0.82, the length of the larval period was 8.4±0.15. The two indices of larval stage index and larval status index were examined on the third, sixth and ninth days. The results showed a significant difference between the control group and other combination treatments, and no significant difference between combination treatments for both indices. Salinity and formalin stress tests also showed significant differences between the control group with different levels of combined probiotics for all indicators. Finally, the most important quality indicators of larvae 31% increase in survival, 30% increase in dry weight, 33.8% improvement in the synchronization index of larvae reaching post-larvae, 14.7% decrease in the time of emergence of the first post-larvae and 20% reduction in larval duration was observed at level 4.

Fungal flora in egg, yolk sac larvae and larvae of Acipenser persicus were identified and studied. Totally, 270 specimens from Shahid Beheshti Sturgeon Rearing Center were examined. A heterogeneous solution from samples>was prepared and inoculated on culture media SDA+C and CMA+C in lines under sterile conditions. Wet mounts were prepared for the identification of Saprolegnia sp. and the inoculants were cultured on culture media GP containing gentamycin and chloramphenicol. We found Penicillium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Yeast, Mucor sp. , Aspergillus niger and Paecilomuces on egg samples in order of frequency and in water samples we observed Penicillium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Yeast, Mucor sp. , Aspergillus niger, and Paecilomyces. Fungal species identified in yolk sac larvae included Penicilliium sp. , Cladosporium sp. , Fusarium sp. , Alternaria sp. , Yeast and in water samples we found Penicillium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Yeast, while in larvae we saw Cladosporium sp. , Penicilliium sp. , Fusarium sp. , Alternaria sp. , Aspergilus fumigatus, Yeast and Mucor spp. In water samples containing larvae we were able to identify Cladosporium sp. , Penicilliium sp. , Fusarium sp. , Yeast and Aspergilus niger. Fungal species such as Cladosporium sp. , Penicillium, Fusarium, Yeast and Saprolegnia were detected in all four sampling mediums. T-test indicated no significant differences in total counts (colonies/2 plates in all samples) in eggs (15. 08±3. 51 colony forming unit; CFU) and in water (15. 91±2. 63) samples. However, t-test indicated significant differences in total counts in yolk sac larvae (5. 33±1. 05) and in water (11. 77±2. 39) samples. T-test showed no significant differences in total counts of larvae (32±12. 46) and water (31. 11±12. 79) samples.

Ontogenetic changes of digestive enzymes (pancreatic) and fatty acids profile in fertilized grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) eggs and eleuthero-embryo were examined at the beginning of exogenous feeding. The fertilized egg، newly hatched larvae، one-day-old larvae، larvae in 2/3 yolk-sac absorption stage and complete yolk-sac absorption stage were sampled. Then، the digestive enzymes including trypsin، chymotrypsin، lipase and amylase which related to the digestion of protein، lipid and carbohydrate were measured in egg، at hatching stage and onset of exogenous feeding. High specific activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin in egg and newly hatched larvae revealed their importance during embryogenesis and hatching (P<0. 05). The results showed the increasing trend in the specific activity of lipase and amylase (P<0. 05). The results also showed that the increase in saturated fatty acids (SFA) coincide with a decrease in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA)، indicating the role of monounsaturated fatty acids for energy provision during embryogenesis and larval development.

The study describes the temporal and spatial distribution of larval stages of two species of Alpheidae from the Bahmanshir and Arvand estuaries in north of the Persian Gulf. Planktonic larvae were collected using 0.45 m diameter plankton net with 300μm mesh size monthly horizontal towing from February 2011 to October 2012. The larval stages illustrated and described in detail for Alpheus glaber and Alpheus estuarensis. The species of larval density was calculated at different stations and months. The most abundant species A. glaber with 110.1 Ind larvae /m3 in May and A. estuarensis 93.1 Ind larvae /m3 were calculated in June. Two new species of Alpheus larvae were first reports of the Iranian coastal water. Also, positive relationship between temperature and salinity with frequency of A. glaber and A. estuarensis were found significantly using spearman correlation coefficients (P< 0.05).

External parasitoid wasp Bracon hebetor Say larvae of some pests stored dates. In this study, the change in population growth in four steps bat nuts Ephestia kuehniella Zeller affected parasitoid B. hebetor for 6 months in vitro was paid. Two populations in this experiment repeated 3 glass boxes. First population included 500 pesticides and 50 larvae with parasitoid sex ratio and the second population contains only 500 larvae are pests. Curve changes in population activity were observed tow peaks density in the first period egg stage, larva, pupa and insect full 11 weeks, respectively, 6, 8 and 11 weeks during the second 22, 21, 20 and 22 was observed. During the 24 week ware housing always pest population growth in four stages, assembly conditions ( presence of parasitoid population) to less than control treatment (no parasitoid population), respectively, so that the maximum reduction equal to 5.25, 5.36, 4.2 and 4.78 respectively in the four steps were growing pest control suggests that high performance in parasitized by the wasp larvae bat nuts and ultimately control it.

European foulbrood is a bacterial disease that effects honey bee larvae before the capped stage. European foulbrood disease is characterized by dead and dying larvae which can appear curled upwards, brown or yellow, melted, and/or dried out and rubbery. The causative bacteria, Melissococcus plutonius is ingested by honey bee larvae after which the bacterium competes for food inside the larvae. If the bacteria out-competes the larva, the larva will die before the cell is capped. Alternatively, the bee may survive until adulthood if the larvae has sufficient food resources. European foulbrood should not be confused with American foulbrood (AFB), which is caused by a different bacteria that produces different symptoms and control requirements. European foulbrood disease is considered to be more problematic in situations where forage nectar is sporadic, or other situations that result in fewer nurse bees in colonies to feed larvae. At the onset of nectar flow in early spring, forage recruitment of house bees may increase rapidly resulting in few bees in colonies to feed honey bee larvae. Often, when the nurse bee to larvae ratio stabilizes later in the season, or remains stable throughout a season, symptoms disappear. However, this disease can occur throughout a season and will sometimes not clear up on its own. In severe cases, colony death can occur. Also, yearly reoccurrence of EFB from contaminated combs and equipment can occur. The bacteria that causes EFB does not produce spores, but combs contaminated with the bacteria can still reinfect honey bees in subsequent years.

The interference of biological agents may cause behaviors such as interspecific predation, reducing their efficiencies. The interspecific predation of lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) and ladybeetle, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) was investigated in the presence and absence of prey, Aphis gossypii Glover under laboratory conditions. In the presence and absence of prey, the larvae of lacewing fed on eggs, larvae, pupae and adults of ladybeetle and the larvae and adults of ladybeetle fed on eggs and larvae of lacewing. Presence of prey reduced the rate of feeding significantly. Feeding of lacewing larvae on ladybeetle eggs was higher than the feeding of ladybeetle larvae and adults on lacewing eggs. This is probably due to the stalk of lacewing eggs. The 1st larval instar of lacewing was dominant to that of ladybeetle, so were 2nd larval instar of lacewing to the 1st and 2nd larval instars of ladybeetle and 3rd larval instar of lacewing to all larval instars and adults of ladybeetle. Third larval instar of ladybeetle was dominant to the 1st larval instar of lacewing, and 4th larval instar and adult of ladybeetle to the 1st and 2nd larval instars of lacewing. The 2nd and 3rd larval instars of lacewing fed on pupa of ladybeetle but larval feeding of ladybeetle was not observed on lacewing pupa. This was probably related to lacewing pupa covered by a cocoon.