Journal Of Crop Protection
Volume:5 Issue: 2, Jun 2016

The elm leaf beetle, Xanthogalerucella luteola (Muller) (Col.: Chrysomelidae) is a serious pest of elm trees and it has been distributed all over the world. The current study was undertaken to investigate the inhibitory effects of protein extracts of three weed seeds including datura Datura stramonium L., amaranth Amaranthus retroflexus L. and wild oat Avena fatua L. against X. luteola α-amylase using spectrophotometric assay as well as in gel assays. The effects of five concentrations of each seed proteinaceous extracts were tested on α-amylase activity of the larval gut. The results showed a dose dependent manner in inhibition of the insect enzyme. At the highest concentration of protein extracts (12 μg protein) of all three seed extracts including amaranth, wild oat and datura, the inhibition was 71, 79 and 31%, respectively. Whilst, at low concentration (0.75 μg protein), the inhibition observed was 15, 36 and 5%, respectively. Thus, the greatest inhibition percentage was obtained when proteinaceous extract of wild oat seed was used. These results were confirmed when in gel assays were performed. All three seed proteinaceous extracts had an optimum pH inhibition of 6.0. Thus, it is concluded that wild oat seed proteins are potentially good for detailed investigation in order to get a clear picture of its active compound/s and its structure-function relationship.

Leptonchus granulosus, recovered from Lorestan province, is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular data. The Iranian population of the species is characterized by its body length of 1091 - 1374 mm, cuticle distinctly two layered, outer layer finely annulated, inner layer distinctly annulated, being partly separated from the body and shriveled after fixation, cap-like lip region separated from the rest of body by constriction, distinctly sclerotised walls of prestoma and stoma, delicate needle-like odontostyle with distinct narrow lumen, 8.0-9.5 mm long, slightly arcuate odontophore, 17-21 mm long, with arms slightly thickened at base, small pear-shaped pharyngeal bulb, occupying 16.6-24.3% of pharynx length, simple intestine, very long prerectum (617-663 µm long), its junction with intestine having three distinct guard cells located between anterior ovary and cardia, didelphic female reproductive system, composed of equally sized less developed tracts, but with distinct parts (tubular uterus, simple oviduct and ovary), conoid to hemispheroid tail and absence of males. In comparison with the available reports of the species, no remarkable variation in morphometric data ranges was observed.
This is the first representative of the genus for Iran’s nematode fauna found so far. Molecular phylogenetic studies of Iranian population of L. granulosus using 1669 nt partial sequences of 18S rDNA revealed it forming a clade with another isolate of the species in Bayesian inference (BI) with 0.95 Bayesian posterior probability (BPP).

Nerve cord configuration and brain neurosecretory cell (NSC) characteristics were studied in adult firefly, Luciola gorhami, applying two methods, in situ and section staining. Nerve cord was of primitive type and consisted of brain, subesophageal ganglion, three thoracic and seven abdominal ganglia which were connected to each other serially through a pair of longitudinal connectives. Thoracic ganglia were separated and had the same size. All abdominal ganglia had the same size except the last one which was twice larger than the others. Abdominal ganglia were not fused with thoracic ganglia. Using in situ staining, 26 neurosecretory cells (NSCs) stained as median neurosecretory cells (MNSCs) and lateral neurosecretory cells (LNSCs). MNSCs consisted of 20 cells in three groups in pars intercerebralis. MNSCs had a U shaped arrangement in such a way that 4 round and large cells were located in front and two parallel groups (8 pryiform to round cells in each group) located in back. LNSCs were comprised of 6 large cells in two groups (one group on each lateral lobe of protocerebrum). MNSCs pathways were not clear but LNSCs pathways were clear and ipsilateral. Using section staining, large number of NSCs in pars intercerebralis stained gray and purple in color. Gray cells were large, more in number and appeared in many sections. Purple cells were large and grouped in the middle of gray cells. Both types of cells were on the surface area of brain and had large nucleus. Their axons were bundled together and extended backwards to the rear of brain.

Morphological observations are made on several populations of Hoplolaimus indicus and Hoplolaimus seinhorsti, recovered from rhizosphere of mango, tamarind, sour orange and sugarcane from the southern regions of Iran. Detailed studies on the two species Hoplolaimus dubius and H. indicus being separated from each other based on some morphological characters, revealed each of them having intra-specific and overlapping variations in morphology and morphometric ranges, enough for not separating two closely related aforementioned species and as a result, H. dubius is considered as a junior synonym of H. indicus. Observations on H. seinhorsti also supported the Siddiqi’s decision on the synonymy of Hoplolaimus sheri with H. seinhorsti. The results of the phylogenetic analyses using D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA gene were in agreement with the results of previous works, i.e. the classic scheme for assigning species of the genus into two "ancestral" and/or "derived" groups was supported. In phylogenetic trees inferred, using different analysis methods, the Iranian populations of H. indicus were located in the same clade with H. seinhorsti and H. columbus, belonging to "derived" group of species of the genus characterized by having six nuclei in pharyngeal glands, less than four incisures at each lateral field and anteriorly situated position of excretory pore to hemizonid.

Glyphodes pyloalis Walker is a serious pest of mulberry trees in Iran. In this study, lethal (LC50 = 19 ppm) and sublethal effects (LC10 = 3.74 andLC30 = 9.77 ppm) of lufenuron were evaluated against 4th instar larvae of G. pyloalis. After treating the larvae at LC30 and LC50 level, most of them died during the molting process and only a few individuals developed to the 5th larval instar. The highest rate of mortality wasobserved in 5th larval (68.42%) and pre-pupal (59.57%) stages at LC50 concentration. Also, lufenuron caused an increase in larval, pre-pupal and pupal developmental periods. The successful pupation decreased to 53.64% at the LC30. Also, no prepupa molted to pupation after treatment of larvae at the LC50. Larval weight was significantly reduced at 48, 72 and 96 h after treatment, compared to the control. Adult emergence and female longevity were also reduced at LC30. The LC30 of lufenuron negatively affected reproduction of G. pyloalis. Larval content of carbohydrate and protein were decreased significantly 48 and 72 h after treatment, however, lipid and glycogen content were decreased significantly only 72 h after treatment at LC10, LC30 or LC50. Findings indicated adverse effects on some biological and biochemical parameters at lethal and sublethal concentrations of lufenuron which necessitate further investigations for its application in an integrated management of G. pyloalis.

Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN), caused by the synergistic effect of maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV; Tombusviridae: Machlomovirus) and any potyvirus, has the potential to devastate maize production across Africa. Since the first report in Kenya in 2011, MLN has spread to Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and probably other surrounding countries. To understand the spatiotemporal distribution of MCMV and MLN risk in Africa, we developed ecological niche models using a genetic algorithm (GARP). Model inputs included climatic data (temperature and rainfall) and known detections of MCMV and MLN across Africa. Model performances were more statistically significant (p

Powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe necator is a common and severe fungal disease of grapevine all over the world including Iran. Although the application of chemical fungicides is the most common control method, the use of resistant varieties may be the most effective and environmentally sound strategy for managing the disease. Twenty two grape varieties were evaluated against powdery mildew under natural infection and artificial inoculation during 2011–2013 in Ardabil and Qazvin provinces of Iran. In this study, Perlett, Robee seedless, Flame seedless and Tompson seedless varieties were immune; Mish-Pestan, Khoshnav and Torkamanestan 8 were highly resistant; Torkamanestan 4 and Superior seedless were resistant; Shahani-e-Qazvin and Shast-e-Arous were tolerant; Ghermez-e-Bidaneh, Sefid-e-Bidaneh, Fakhri, Sahebi-e-Ghermez, Peikami, Rishbaba-e-Sefid, Siyah-e-Samarghandi and Rotabi were susceptible and Rishbaba-e-Ghermez, Asgari, and Shahroodi were highly susceptible varieties to grape powdery mildew. In general, findings of this research may be used as resistance genetic sources for management of the disease in national and international programs.

Acleris kochiella (Goeze) collected in Gilan and Golestan Provinces and preserved in the Hayk Mirzayans Insect Museum (HMIM) of the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRIPP) was identified during the study of Tortricidae material of the Lepidoptera collection. This species is newly reported for the fauna of Iran. A brief diagnosis of the species is provided.

Plant essential oils and their constituents are recognized as proper alternatives to fumigants. Thymus daenensis Celak is one of these plants that have medicinal properties and is endemic to Iran. The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation from dry leaves using a modified clevenger-type apparatus and the chemical composition of the oil was assessed via GC and GC-MS. Fourteen compounds (100% of the total composition) were identified. Thymol (57.4%), carvacrol (9.8%), β-caryophyllene (6.9%), γ-terpinene (6.7%) and p-cymene (6.3%) were found to be the major compounds of the essential oil. The fumigant toxicity of the essential oil was tested against 1-3 days old adults of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Sitophilus granarius (L.) at 27 ± 1 °C and 65 ± 5% R. H. in darkness. The mortality of adults was tested at different concentrations (28.12, 40.62, 53.12 and 65.62 µl/l air) and different exposure times. At the highest concentration (65.62 µl/l air), T. daenensis oil caused 90 and 60% mortality with a 3 h exposure on C. maculatus and S. granarius, respectively. Based on LC50 values, C. maculatus (4.22 µl/l air) was significantly more susceptible than S. granarius (6.55 µl/l air). These results show the efficacy of T. daenensis oil for stored-products protection.

Cicada orni Linnaeus, 1758 is an abundant and common cicada across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia including Iran. The male cicada produces a loud calling song for attraction of females from a long distance. The calling songs are known often to be species-specific and to function in part for species recognition. The present study compares variations in calling song of C. orni in Iran with those reported from other areas and also signifies the importance of calling song in species identification. C. orni were collected in Mazandaran, Iran during summer 2010. Four features were used: echeme duration, echeme period, interecheme interval, number of echeme/s and dominant frequency. Findings of present study showed some resemblance in time and frequency domains in the calling song among the populations of C. orni from Iran and those investigated in Greece, Iberian Peninsula and Turkey. The parameters of calling song showed maximal resemblance with species of Kosmas (Greece). The present results do not support C. orni from Iran as an independent subspecies. Thus, it is concluded that every feature of calling song can be effective in species recognition as is the case for several other parameters.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are commonly used as biological agents for control of insect pests. This study was carried out to identify EPNs, determine dominant and frequent species in Kurdistan province, Iran and characterize their symbiotic bacteria. Identification of EPNs was performed based on morphological and morphometrical characters and also rRNA-ITS gene sequences. Two EPNs, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) and Steinernema feltiae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) were identified. Out of totally 150 soil samples collected mainly from mid-southern parts of the province, 60% were positive for EPNs. Heterorhabditis bacteriphora showed the highest frequency in this region, remarkably 59.3% of soil samples contained this species. Incidences of H. bacteriphora in grasslands, woodlands and alfalfa fields were 57.3, 14.6 and 28.0 percent, respectively. Steinernema feltiae was found only in alfalfa fields with 0.66% frequency. Bacterial symbionts of H. bacteriophora and S. feltiae were also identified based on biochemical characters and recA gene sequencing. In this research, two species of Photorhabdus were isolated from H. bacteriophora namely P. luminescens subsp. kayaii and P. temperata subsp. thracensis. Xenorhabdus bovienii was identified from infective juveniles of S. feltiae.

Tuta absoluta(Meyrick) is a serious pest of tomato throughout the world. The life history and the life table parameters of T. absolutawere studied on 12 different commercial tomato cultivars. The longest larval developmental period (12.92 ± 0.11 days), the longest total developmental time (26.20 ± 0.22 days), the longest total pre-oviposition period (29.31 ± 0.63 days) and the shortest oviposition period (5.08 ± 0.43 days) were recorded on Korral cultivar. The highest pupal mortality was found on Korral (23.53%) and the lowest larval and pupal growth indices were observed on Korral (6.57and 8.87, respectively). The highest and the lowest overall mortalities were observed on Korral (35.00%) and on Valouro (21.67%), respectively. The lowest and the highest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) were found on Korral (0.1046 ± 0.0005 day-1) and on Valouro (0.1584 ± 0.0002 day-1) cultivars. Also the lowest finite rate of increase (λ) (1.1102 day-1) and the highest doubling time (6.63 days) of the tomato leafminer were observed on Korral cultivar. Therefore, it was concluded that among the 12 tomato cultivars that were studied in this research, Korral was relatively unsuitable to T. absolutaand can be used in the integrated control programs (IPM) of this pest.

Tetranychus turkestani is one of the most important pests of greenhouse plants in the southern provinces of Iran. Several benefits of using essential oils over chemical pesticides make them appropriate for IPM programs. Contact and fumigant toxicity of the essential oils of Foeniculum vulgare and Citrus limon against the spider mite and its predator, Orius albidipennis were investigated under laboratory conditions. Contact toxicity experiments were conducted at six concentrations, (0, 50, 100, 300, 800 and 2000 ppm) of each essential oil on the mature and immature life stages of the pest, and mortalities were recorded 72 h after exposure. In fumigant toxicity trials, LC50 values of the essential oils were determined on different developmental stages of T. turkestani and O. albidipennis. At 800 and 2000 ppm, both essential oils had high contact toxicity on the eggs, 2nd instar nymphs and adults of T. turkestani, while the same concentrations caused less mortality on O. albidipennis. No significant phytotoxicity of the essential oils was observed. The mortality rates of T. turkestani and O. albidipennis increased as concentration was increased. Also, the 2nd instar nymph of T. turkestani was more sensitive to contact application of the essential oils than other developmental stages. In the fumigant toxicity bioassay, LC50 values of the essential oil derived from F. vulgare on the egg, 2nd instar nymph and adult of T. turkestani were 16.08, 7.98 and 14.06, and the values for C. limon essential oil were 11.6, 9.86 and 11.52 µl × l-1air, respectively. The highest fumigant toxicity was observed against the 2nd instar nymphs of the mite. Fumigant toxicity of the essential oils was lower against O. albidipennis than against T. turkestani. This data suggests that the essential oils of these plants have the potential of being employed in the IPM programs of T. turkestani in greenhouse crops, especially cucumber.

Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) is one of the most important pests of stored products and known as factitious host for mass rearing of insect natural enemies. Effect of four commercial barely varieties including Fajr 30, Behrokh, Nik and Yousef on life table parameters of S. cerealella was determined at 26 ± 2 °C, 65 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 12:12 h (L: D). Data were analyzed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. The results revealed that there were significant differences among various barely varieties regarding the developmental times, adult longevity and fecundity of S. cerealella. The longest developmental time (56.72 ± 0.29 days) was observed on Yousef. The longest and shortest male longevity were obtained on Behrokh (6.77 ± 0.27 days) and Yousef (5.79 ± 0.16 days). Moreover, female longevity ranged from 6.20 ± 0.18 to 7.23 ± 0.24 days on Yousef and Behrokh, respectively. The highest values of intrinsic rate of increase (r) were estimated 0.0719 ± 0.004 and 0.0717 ± 0.003 day-1 on Fajr 30 and Behrokh, respectively and the lowest values were 0.0539 ± 0.004 and 0.0542 ± 0.003 day-1 on Nik and Yousef, respectively. The longest generation time (T) was observed on Yousef. Furthermore, peaks of reproductive value occurred at ages of 45, 49, 48 and 53 days when reared on Fajr 30, Behrokh, Nik and Yousef, respectively. It can be concluded that Fajr 30 and Behrokh can be used for mass rearing programs of S. cerealella as an alternative host for natural enemies.

Hemiptarsenus autonomus (Mercet, 1924) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae, Eulophinae) was found for the first time outside of Europe. Studied specimen was collected by a Malaise trap in the north west of Iran, East-Azarbaijan province, Khajeh (46°38'E & 38°09'N). Current record of Hemiptarsenus species of Iran adds up to seven species. These species and their geographical distribution in Iran are listed.