فصلنامه تحقیقات حشره شناسی
سال دهم شماره 2 (پیاپی 38، تابستان 1397)

In order to identify the fauna of Mantodea in Iran, some specimens were collected by different collecting methods. A recent entomological survey in Markazi province has produced two conspecific male and female specimens of an undescribed species. The specimens were collected from highlands of Haftad-gholeh Protected Area, in June of 2017. The species is closest morphologically to Holaptilon pusillulum Beier, 1964. Therefore, a new species as the first Persian boxer mantid is described, Holaptilon brevipugilis sp. n., along with the ootheca. Habitus images, measurement data, a key to species, and locality data are presented.

The appearance of pesticides in agricultural products is a serious concern for consumers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the amount of pesticides in cucumber in Fars province. The process of work was that 64 samples of fresh cucumber were analyzed for the presence of 4 pesticides (diazinon, imidacloprid, primicarb and acetamiprid) using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) multi-residue extraction, followed by high performance liquid Chromatography-Diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The residual behavior of diazinon (60%EC), primicarb (50% WP) imidacloprid (35% SC) and acetamiprid (20% SP) in cucumber under the greenhouse condition was studied. The cucumbers were randomly sampled after 2 (initial), 5, 10 and 14 days period after pesticides application.
Both of acetamiprid and primicarb were found to be more persistent in cucumber compared with the other two tested pesticides; data also reported that the lowest residue (level 2.06 and 2.12 mg.kg-1)in cucumber was detected 14 days after application of acetamiprid and primicarb, while the lowest residue of diazinon and imidacloprid was 0.24 and 1.16 mg.kg-1 within 14 days. All tested residues dissipated 21 days after application in cucumber.

Myzus persicae (Sulzer) is one of the most important pests of pepper in greenhouses. In this research, the toxicity of Acetamiprid and Pirimicarb was studied on wingless adults of M. persicae.  Also, effects of sublethal concentration(LC25) of the two insecticodes on life table parameters of M. persicae was tested under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% R.H. and a photoperiod of 14: 10 (L: D) h.). The LC50 values of Acetamiprid and Pirimicarb were 51.75 and 54.08 ppm, respectively. Survival rate (lx) of M. persicae decreased more quickly to zero in the Acetamiprid treatment compared to control and pirimicarb treatment. Acetamiprid and Pirimicarb significantly reduced adult longevity in comparison with the control. The mean adult longevity of M. persicae was 9.64, 2.30 and 3.07 days in the control, acetamiprid and pirimicarb treatments, respectively. The highest and lowest net reproductive rate (R0) and gross reproductive rate (GRR) of M. persicae was observed in the control and acetamiprid, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of the green peach aphid was 0.547 day-1 in the controland decreased in Acetamiprid (0.114 day-1) and Pirimicarb (0.136 day-1) treatments. The results of this study showed that imidacloprid and Pirimicarb can be effective against M. persicae. and these insecticides cawldbe suggested for controllig M. persicae in greenhouses.

The melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover is a polyphagous and cosmopolite species which is widely distributed in moderate and tropical regions of the world. The high-risk chemical pesticides are currently used to control this pest that have environmental impacts and also affect non-target organisms. Therefore, in order to cope with this situation, we must think about the safe alternatives to control this pest. In the current study, chemical composition and fumigant toxicity of the essential oil from wild mint, Mentha longifoliaL. was studied against the nymphal and adult stages of the melon aphid, A. gossypii. The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation method, using a modified Clevenger-type apparatus. The amount of this essential oil was determined by mass chromatography method. Bioassay experiments were performed in a completely randomized design with five concentrations (0.1 to 0.9 μl/L air) and three replications. For each replicate, 10 samples of the last instar nymphs and adult aphids were separately considered. Also, nymph production deterrent effect of the oil at sublethal concentration of the oil was studied against the parthenogenesis form of aphid. Results indicated that essential oil of M. longifolia is highly toxic to the melon aphid.The major components in the oil were Pulegone (44.75%), Menthone (30.80%), 1,8- Cineole1 (5.49%) and Cyclohexanone, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)- (2R-cis (2.06%). Probit analysis showed that the LC50 values for nymphs and adults of A. gossypii were 0.059 and 0.0081 µl. L-1 air, respectively. By increasing the concentration of essential oil, the mortality rate also increased. Also, degree of nymph production deterrent effect was calculated for the essential oil of M. longifoliaas 80.03±3.68%. The overall results showed that the wild mint essential oil has a high potential in controlling the melon aphid especially in protected areas such as geenhouses.

Alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. is the most widely used forage plant. In the recent decade, alfalfa aphids have become an important economic pests in some regions of Iran, including Borujerd the northern parts of Lorestan province. In this research, the appropriate sample units of alfalfa aphid populations were investigated in 2016. Comparison of six sample units, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of alfalfa stems revealed that there were significant difference among RV and RNP of aphid populations. Results showed that, the appropriate sample unit to estimate Acyrthosiphon pisum, Acyrthosiphon kondoi and Therioaphis maculate populations in alfalfa fields were 4, 4 and 3 stems, respectively. Based on the findings of this research, sample unit of 4 stems is recommended in the sampling for all alfalfa aphids populations in the field.

The efficiency of plant extracts of Rubia tinctorum L. (Rubiaceae) and Ferula gummosa Boiss(Apiaceae) and release of the mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Miridae) were compared with Espirotermat to control sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Genn. (Hem: Aleyrodidae) in semi-field conditions. LC50 of plant extracts and pesticide for sweet potato whitefly was calculated. In the main experiment, plant extracts and pesticides were sprayed on tomato plants in cages covered with mesh fabric. LC50 values of pesticides and plant extracts were sprayed on plants. Nymph of mirids was hanged to plant tomatoes. Subsequent days after treatment, number of sweet potato whitefly was counted. The experiments were carried out at 25 ±5 °C, 50±5 RH and photoperiod of 16:8 h (L:D). LC50 of R. tinctorum and F. gummosa extracts as well as Espirotermat was 22.359, 45.641 and 0.404 mg/ml, respectively. Post density decreased R. tinctorum and F. gummosa extracts, Spirotermat and the mird bug 86.54, 83.73, 89.16 and 87.67 percent pf egg stage, 80.20, 76.28, 82.56 and 79.38 percent of nymphal stage, 80.66, 75.26, 85.89 and 81.86 percent of total immature stages as well as 81.89, 79.49, 84.85 and 81.98 of total nymphal stages. Findings from experiments could be promising for further studies on plant extract of Rubia tinctorum and the mirid bug as on alternative to chemical pesticides in natural conditions.

According to faunistic studies which were carried out on the tortoise beetles genus Cassida, (Chrysomelidae) , in Gachsaran region during the years of 2009-2011. a total of three species, Cassida transcaucasica Borowiec & Swietojanska, C. persica Spaeth and C. palaestina Reiche were collected and identified. These species were identified by Prof. Borowice,L.(Poland). Two new host plants, Platycheat mucronifolia Boiss. Boiss and Centaurea behen L,(Astraceae) are recorded for  two Cassida species from Iran. Cassida persica  feeds on P. mucronifolia and C. transcaucasica  feeds on C. behen.