Report of Pandesma robusta Walker (1958) (Lep.: Noctuidae) from Iran and it's damage to Acasia albidula (Del.) forests in Bushehr region

Acacia albida (Del.) was introduced in 1997 as a Subspecies of (Acacia albida Del. Surculosa Djavanshir, Emtehani & Djazirei) in Iran in 1376. This subspecies occur solely in an area of 30 ha. in Razmabad Plain in Bushehr Province. This tree blooms in March but produces no fruit in the area. Pests are important factors that can affect seed production of the plant. In this research attention was given to flower pests and their associated damages. Larvae were collected on A. albida flowers in March and reared in the Lab conditions of 28-30ºC, 18h/6h L/D photoperiod and 60% humidity. Experiment was continued until all Larva went to Pupae stage. Emerging moth was identified by specialists in Research Center for Plant Diseases. To measure flower damage, 20 spikes were collected randomly from every 10 plants. Spikes were examined in the lab for the percentage of damage. The pest was determined as Pandesma robusta, belong to Noctuidae family. This is the first record of this insect species on A. albida in Iran. flower damage was measured as 26%. The findings indicate the pest is probably not in the lack factor of fruit formation in this species in the aforementioned area.