علی اکبر کیهانیان

Olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), is one of the most important and main pests that attack olives all around the world, especially in Mediterranean countries. This research was done to study some biological characteristics of the pest in two years. This pest has three to five generations in the Tarom sofla area of Qazvin province. Results showed that fly overwinters as adult mainly but rarely as pupa beneath the plant debris and surface soil layer of the olive orchards. The olive fruit fly attacks the fruits as the weather warms up and after a period of reproductive diapause, in late spring and early summer, at the same time as the olive core hardens (Pit hardening). Climatic changes and olive tree phenology and access to olive fruit were constant and fully correlated with olive fruit fly activity. Based on these results, the first generation, because of the favorable conditions and the product of in the first year, happened generally in July, the second generation has continued between August and September, the third generation between September and October, the fourth generation in October and November, and the fifth generation or the wintering generation in November and December. But in the second year, due to the low yield and weather conditions, the first generation was generally observed in August, the second generation in September, the third generation between September and October, and the fourth generation (wintering generation) in October and November, and another fruit was not observed in December. Due to the long oviposition period, the olive fly has overlapping generations. The density of the olive fly population in the third and fourth generation is more than the first and second generation. In the early generations, the sex ratio is in favor of males, but in the last generation, it changes to 1:1.

Olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Dip.: Tephritidae), is the main and considerable damaging pest on olive trees (Olea europaea, Oleaceae) and causes huge economic losses. In this study, the effect of temperature on developmental rate of the Olive fruit fly was studied at 7 constant temperatures,10, 15, 20, 24, 28, 32, and 35 °C, 60-70% RH, and a photoperiod of (L:D) 16:8h. 26 nonlinear models were evaluated to determine development rate of olive fruit flies at different temperatures and to estimate the thermal developmental thresholds.Among evaluated nonlinear models, Lactin-2 and Briere-2 were the best fitting models for all immature stages considering the statistical criteria and biological significance of the estimations. Accordingly, the lower temperature threshold values (T0) estimated using Briere-2 model for incubation period, egg+ larval period, pupal period and the total period of immature stages, 5- 5.001, 5- 9.16, 7.19- 9.76, and 7.69- 8.68 °C respectively. In addition, the values of the upper temperature threshold (TU) for the mentioned developmental stages estimated 32- 43.42, 32.04- 36.23, 32.03- 36.42, and 34.03- 34.4 °C, respectively. Furthermore, estimated values for the optimal temperature (Topt) for the same mentioned developmental stages were 27.99- 30.09, 24.43- 28.04, 25.82- 30.32, and 25.94- 26.86 °C, respectively. Finally the values of lethal temperature threshold (Tl) for the mentioned developmental stages by using Lactin-2 model estimated as 34.31- 43.8, 37.44- 39.53, 33.67- 45, and 37.93- 40.13°C, respectively. The findings of the present study are useful for predicting the population dynamics of olive fruit flies and can be effective in developing optimal management strategies of B. oleae.

Xylophagous moth, Euzopherodes vapidella vapidella Mann (Lep.: Pyralidae), as a new pest in Iran, causes damage in olive orchards of Fars province specially at Fasa, Kazeron, Darab and Shiraz area in recent years. Its biological characteristics was studies using light trap and field sampling during 2007-2008 at Fasa olive orchards. Female moths lay their eggs at the wounded sites, which cause by pruning, grafting and broken branches. Neonate larvae penetrate under the bark and fed on cambium layers. The larval and pupal development occurred under the barks. The pest overwintered in different larval stages, mostly in final instars.The first adult moths appeared gradually from mid-March, and based on light traps observations, its four generations were observed in mid-April, the second half of July, late-September and mid-December, respectively.The mean length of embryonic, larval and pupal stage development lasted 5.25 ± 0.18, 21.8 ±0.19 and 7.4 ± 0.24 days, respectively. Sex ratio of the male: female in laboratory and field study were same and estimated 1: 1.4.  The longevity of male and female moths was 7.45 ±0.25 and 5.15±0.17 days, respectively.

Olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Dip: Tephritidae), is one of the most important and main pests that attack olives  around the world, especially in Mediterranean countries. The fly larvae  seriously reduces olive production, and in some successful years due to the favorable weather conditions, they cause high economic damage to olives. This pest typically reduces the measurable quantity and superior quality of canned olives as well as olive oil after attacking olive fruits. In this study, the desired effect of specific temperatures was studied as the key environmental factor undoubtedly affecting the continuous growth of olive fruit flies. Development time of incubation period for egg,  larva, pupal stage, as well as total immature stages of the olive fruit fly were recorded in temperatures ranging 10-30°C, 60-70% RH, and a photoperiod of  16: 8 h (L:D). Based on the ANOVA, the specific temperature along the growth period inevitably affected significantly developmental time of the olive fruit fly at 5% probability level and the increase in temperature allegedly followed a decrease in developmental time. Degree-Day and Ikemoto linear models were used to describe temperature-dependent development of the olive fruit fly. Based on the obtained results in Siahpoush, Qushchi and Kallaj regions, the heat requirements for embryonic development of eggs were obtained 63.45, 71.28 and 63.68 days-degrees, for the egg+ larva stage were 209.18, 215.83 and 159.68 days-degrees, pupae stage were obtained 159.44, 183.15 and 175.55 days-degrees and the total immature stages were 348.51, 396.94 and 338.40 days-degrees, respectively, using Ikemoto model. In addition, the low threshold temperature of growth which estimated using Ikemoto linear model for the points mentioned were as follow: for embryonic developmental stages of eggs were 6.67, 6.33 and 6.71°C, for the egg + larva stage were 8.04, 6.96 and 9.43°C, for pupa stage were 9.72, 9.35 and 9.45°C and for the total immature stages were 9.31, 8.41 and 9.39°C, respectively.

Olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi). (Dip.: Tephritidae) is the main pest of olive orchards in Guilan, Qazvin and Zanjan provinces. In this study seasonal population fluctuations, bio-ecology characteristics and olive orchard infestation were investigated in the orchards of Tarom Sofla (Ghazvin province) in 2014- 16. Sex pheromones (on yellow sticky traps) were used to catch the adult flies and fruit sampling carried out to reveal the pest development and fruits infestation rate. Based on the results, flight activity of the adults occurred throughout the season with different densities, which depends on weather conditions. The fly had 3-4 overlapping generation per year. Immature stages observed in mid-Jun. Ovipositing in the fruits (1st generation) started in late spring and early summer, coinciding with pit hardening. The 2nd generation found from mid-August to mid-September and the 3rd generation started from end of September. In three years, the fruit infestation means at Kalaj and Ghoshchi were 2.4%, 5.1%; 4.7%, 6.2% and 8.7%, 21.3%, respectively.

Background and Objectives Flea beetles are the main pests of oilseed rape which the adult beetles cause damage via feeding on cotyledons and early leaves of crop. They gnaw small round holes into leaves, decreasing assimilation surface and slowing down plant's growth. Heavy damage at the early stage of cotyledons may destroy the plant. The critical period of damage on the crop is from germination and cotyledon stage until the appearance of 4–6 true leaves, later the damage is less harmful. Control of this pest mostly depends on using chemical pesticides via seed dressing and/or foliar application. This study aimed to estimate the effects of new chemical insecticides to control this pest in Iran. Materials and Methods To chemical control flea beetles, the project was carried out in a Randomized Complete Blocks Design with six treatments and three replications in the provinces of Mazandaran and Golestan in 2018. The treatments were alpha-cypermethrin 15% WDG, with two doses (300 g/ha and 150 g/ha), lambda-cyhalothrin CS10% (75 ml/ha), malathion EC 57% (600 ml/ha), thiacloprid OD24% (300 ml/ha) and control. Sampling and counting of the flea beetles were done 1 day before and 3, 7, and 14 days after treatment via counting the cached beetles on yellow sticky traps (one trap in the center of each plot) as well as the active beetles in a 0.5×0.5m quadrate in each plot center. Fourteen days after treatment, the percentage of infested plants and leaf surface damage were measured. The beetle's mortality was calculated by the Henderson-Tilton formula. Data were analyzed with SAS ver. 9 software, and the means were compared using Duncan.  Results All insecticides showed a significant difference at 1% probability level comparing with control. Alpha-cypermethrin with 300 and 150g/ha and lambda-cyhalothrin in Mazandaran and Golestan provinces with 87.17,84.19, 81.66; 76.66, 86.12, and 76 percentage efficacies had the highest effectiveness in control the pest, respectively. Malathion in Mazandaran and Golestan with 24.59% and 22.66% and thiaclopride 14.01% and 19%, respectively, were less effective in controlling and reducing flea beetles damage on the crop. Moreover, the percentage of infested plants was significantly different among insecticides 14 days after treatment at a probability level of 1%. Discussion Pest management of canola flea beetles faces ecological challenges and severe dependence on synthetic chemical pesticides. Insufficient soil moisture, late planting, unsuitable planting beds, and hot and sunny days with dry winds in the early growing stages of canola in autumn increase the damage and reduce the green area of the field in a short time. Due to the unsatisfactory effect of biological substances and plant compounds on canola flea beetles, chemical insecticides are one of the main options to reduce the population of this distractive pest in rapeseed fields. In various studies, in addition to chemical insecticides, biological compounds and botanical insecticides were tested to manage the control of pest. But in most cases, chemical insecticides were more effective. Therefore, determining the appropriate time for application and using effective insecticides are integral parts of the pest control strategy. This study's result showed that alpha-cypermethrin 15% WDG (150 and 300 g/ha) and lambda-cyhalothrin CS10% (75 ml/ha) could be used as new insecticides to control canola flea beetles.

Canola is an important oilseed crop in the world. Cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae is one of the most important pests of canola crop in Iran. In this study, the effect of chemical control of cabbage aphid was investigated in autumn and spring on Hyola 401 cultivar. For this purpose, spring and autumn sprayings with imidacloprid and pirimicarb at 1/1000 concentrations and insecticidal soap at 2.5% concentration were assessed using a randomized complete block design. The experiments were conducted during two growing seasons, 2011 and 2012 in Qazvin province. The results showed that, both autumn and spring spraying is necessary for pest control. Autumn and spring sprayings with imidacloprid caused 99.5 ± 0.4%, 94.5 ± 2.4% and 95.4.1 ± 1.0% mortality in 2011 and 99.1 ± 0.5, 86.9 ± 2.7 and 93.1 ± 5.5% mortality in 2012, three, seven and 15 days after treatment, respectively. Highest yield achieved at imidacloprid treatment and was 3533.00 kg/ ha. If not controlled, the damage would be 66.18, 69.35 and 78.0% at spring, autumn and spring-autumn treated plots.

Helicoverpa armigera is one of the key pests of tomato in Iran. To evaluate the efficacy of new insecticide α-cypermethrin + teflubenzuron (Imunit SC 15%) against this pest,  present research was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with five treatments and four replications in three provinces  of Mazandaran, Qazvin and Fars in 2013 -14. The treatments were α-cypermethrin + teflubenzuron with two doses of 250 and 300 ml/ha, indoxacarb (Avant® SC 15%) with the dose of 250 ml/ha, chromafenozide (Matrik® SC 5%) with the dose of 2000 ml/ha and control (spraying water). At each sampling time, 10 plants from the middle of each plot were randomly selected. The number of larvae of tomato fruit worms, the number of healthy and damaged fruits and the number of infected and healthy fruits in each plot were determined and recorded at each harvest. Sampling was done 1 day before and 3, 7, and 14 days after the treatment The results showed that -  7 days after application, indoxacarb (250 ml/ha) and cypermethrin + teflubenzuron (300 ml/ha) with 78.13±6.96 % and 73.89±5.24% efficacy ranked first in the group in Mazandaran province. Indoxacarb (250ml/ha) and cypermethrin + teflubenzuron (300 ml/ha) with 88.71±7.89 % and 83.54±5.74% efficacy ranked first in the group in Ghazvin province. In Fars province indoxacarb (250 ml/ha) and cypermethrin + teflubenzuron (300 ml/ha) with 78.2±1.73 % and 71.40±1.81% efficacy ranked first in the group.  In all these locations, the number of infested fruits in all treatments were significantly different (α=1%) 14 days after treatments.

Different species of weevils (Col.: Curculionidae) are found in oilseed rape fields, which some of those are canola stem-borer weevils. They feed inside petioles, crown and/or stems of the crop in larval stages and cause damage. These weevils are mainly belonging to genus Ceutorhynchus, which little information about their taxonomy, distribution and biology is available in Iran.

During 2016-2018, the biological characteristics of canola stem-borer weevils were investigated in canola fields of Mazandaran, Lorestan and Golestan provinces. In each province, three fields were selected for collecting samples. Yellow water traps were used for weekly collecting adult weevils from the fields during crop growing season. For collecting weevil-infested crops and determining infestation rate, 10 quadrates (0.5 × 0.5 m) were used per field. The adult weevils collected by the traps were identified and the pest biology as well as the infestation rates of the crop by the weevils were studied.

In this study, five Ceutorhynchid species were collected and identified: C. picitarsis and C. chalybaeus from Mazandaran, C. erysimi and C. pallidactylus from Golestan and C. sulcicollis from Lorestan, Mazandaran and Golestan. In late November, the adult weevils migrated to canola fields and after feeding and mating, the females deposited their eggs into main veins, petioles of the lower leaves or inside of the collar area of young canola plants and the emerged larvae penetrated into the host plant. The three larval instars of this pest fed inside host plant tissue during autumn and winter till mid spring season. The feeding activity of the first and second instar larvae were observed in late November and late December, respectively. Third instar larvae were found from beginning until mid-spring season. In late April, third instar larvae left the host plant, dropped in the soil for pupation and new generation adults emerged in May. These weevils are univoltine. The results showed that, the maximum infestation rates of oilseed rape by the stem weevils in Mazandaran, Lorestan and Golestan provinces was 20.1±0.89, 14.8±1.29 and 10.2±0.29 percent, respectively.

Determining the time of adult migration activity, oviposiotion and larval development of the weevils is an integral part of pest management strategy in oilseed rape fields. In this study, flight and oviposition activity of adults and also feeding activity of the first instar larvae were mainly observed in late November, which suggests this time as a suitable time for chemical control, if necessary. These weevils are mostly distributed around the Caspian Sea region (Mazandaran and Golestan provinces) however more investigations are required to conclude the existence of those in other parts of country.

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae Rossi, is the most important pest of olive and there are different methods for controlling adult olive fruit fly including the use of food attractants. The aim of performing this research was to determine the efficacy of products prepared from aquatic animal wastes under the commercial name of Aminohircan® in comparison to other attractants. The experiments were performed in five treatments with four replicates each in Guilan and Qazvin provinces during the years 2014 and 2015. The treatments included: 1. Imported protein hydrolyzate of Mcphail trap (Agrisense® Corporation) 3%, 2. Plastic bottle containing imported Protein hydrolyzate (Agrisense® Corporation) of Olipe trap 3%, 3. Marine animal waste protein (Aminohircan®) of Mcphail trap 4%, 4. Plastic bottle containing marine animal waste protein (Aminohircan®) 4%, and 5. Yellow sticky traps with olive fruit fly sex pheromone. Sampling was performed weekly and the results of this investigation showed that the mean of male insects’ attraction in Guilan province with Marine protein (Aminohircan®) in Mcphail trap (6.55 ± 0.73) and with yellow sticky traps with sex pheromone (6.76 ± 0.14) were are not significantly different. While the yellow sticky traps with sex pheromone (6.47 ± 1.37) attracted the highest number of male olive fruit fly in Ghazvin province. The attraction of female fruit flies in Guilan and Ghazvin provinces with Mcphail trap (Aminohircan®) showed the highest rates of 5.93 ± 1.08 and 4.45 ± 0.37 attraction rates, respectively. Based on these results, the marine animal wastes (Aminohircan®) can be considered as a suitable compound in attracting and monitoring of olive fruit fly population.

Olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae Rossi, is a key pest of olive on olive-growing areas in the world including, Iran. This monophagous pest was reported in 2004 in olive-growing areas of North of Iran, causing serious damage. Its damage results in reduction of yield quality and quantity. Deployment of resistant varieties and detecting resistance mechanisms can be useful in management programms of this pest. As treditional farmers do not apply cultural or chemical methods to control this pest, deploying resistant varieties will be more acceptable by farmers. In this research, 10 promising olive varieties in Roudbar Olive Research Station (Guilan province) were studied in order to determine the infestation rate of olive fruit fly and chemical compounds of olive drupes (‘Arbequina’, ‘Manzanilla’, ‘Leccino’, ‘Zard’, ‘ Konservalia’, ‘Amigdalifolia’, ‘Kalamata’, ‘Roghani’, ‘ Mari’ and ‘Fishomi’). ‘Arbequina’ and ‘Kalamata’ varieties can be considered in developing olive varieties, due to low rate of yearly infestation (8 to 11%). There was no correlation between infestation rate and either morphological traits and chemical compounds in olive oil. However, oleuropein can be considered as one of the resistance factors to olive fruit fly.

Olive is one of the most important horticultural crops in Iran, especially in Guilan, Zanjan and Qazvin provinces. There are many pests in olive groves. Olive psylla, Euphyllura straminea Loginova. (Hem.: Psyllidae) is the most important insect pest of olive during flowering of trees in winter and the beginning of spring in Iran.
Material and In this research, the effect of kaolin powder (Sepidan®WP), on the developmental stages of the pest was evaluated in Guilan province during the growing season of 2012 and 2013. The treatments consisted of two kaolin concentrations of 3 and 5% and two treated with insecticide (diazinon EC 60% Volk oil 5%) and control (water spraying) which were compared using a layout of a randomized complete block design.
Results showed that in insect control treatments at 7, 14 and 21 days after spraying, diazinon insecticide, respectively, was 88.35, 80.43, 71.25%, kaolin 5% had 41.80, 35.22, 32.55% efficiency and kaolin 3%, 40.27, 25.12 and 16.12% respectively. On nymphs, the diazinon insecticide was 92.19, 89.25, 79.63, kaolin 5%, 61.06, 47.61, 42.43%, and kaolin 3%, 26.46, 31.10 and 22.61 % respectively. On the eggs, diazinon insecticide caused 31.16, 37.67, 47.17% efficiency, kaolin 5%, 28.07, 31.61, 36.61, efficiency, kaolin 3% 28.46, 25.18, and 26.32%, respectively. In the second year of the experiment, the results were the same as the first year.
According to the results, although the diazinon insecticide had the greatest effect on reducing the population of olive psylla, with regard to the necessity of reducing the application of chemical pesticides, Kaolin 5% treatment is recommended to be effective in reducing the number of nymphs, which is the main cause of damage

One of the serious plant diseases in Iran is Citrus Greening disease. Trees infected with the disease die within a few years. Research on the vector is essential due to the presence of its vector, Diaphorina citri, in our country. Because of high reproduction rate and rapid development, this insect has a propensity to develop resistance to many classes of insecticides. One way to delay pest resistance is application of insecticides from different classes, so studying new insecticides is essential and inevitable. This experiment was done based on a completely randomized block design with 6 treatments (clothianidin (300 ppm), acetamiprid (500 ppm), Dimillin® (750 ppm), chlofluazuron (400 ppm), pyriproxifen (750 ppm), and control (spray with water)) and three replications A two-year study (2011 – 2012) was conducted in a citrus garden in Kerman Province. Sampling of trees was performed one day before spraying, and on the 3rd and 10th day after treatment. Ten days after spraying, the highest and lowest mortality percentage (89.88, 27.34) were observed on clothianidin and pyriproxifen, respectively. Ten days after spraying, efficacy on nymphs were 83.18, 7.94, 84.80, 74.32 and 63.33 percent for clothianidin, stamiprid, diflubenzuron, chlofluazoru and pyriproxyfen, respectively. Diflubenzuron and pyriproxyfen had lower efficacy on adults compared to nymphs. In general, all insecticides, except pyriproxyfen, can be recommended for citrus psylla control.

Canola Pollen beetle Meligethes aeneus F. (Coleoptera: Nitudilidae) is an important pest of productive phase of oilseed rape Brassica napus in north of Iran (Mazandaran and Golestan provinces). Adults and their larvae feed on pollens and buds and hence causing damage. In order to introduce new insecticides for chemical control of this pest, this project was carried out in a RCBD with seven treatments and three replications in Mazandaran (Neka) and Golestan (Gonbad-e Kavous) in 2011. The treatments were Biscaya (Thiacloprid OD 24%), as a new insecticide with three doses (0.25, 0.3, 0.35 L/ha), diazinon EC60% (1.5 l/ha), Confidor (Imidacloprid SC 35%) (1 l/ha), phosalon (Zolone EC35%) (3 l/ha) and control (water spraying). Insecticide application was carried out when in average 7 beetles per plants were counted during green to yellow bud stage of the crop. Sampling and counting of the beetles were done 1 day before and 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after treatment by random selection of the main raceme of 10 plants from each plot. Data were analyzed with SAS software, the means were compared using Duncan and the pest mortality was calculated by Henderson-Tilton formula. The results show that the efficacy of the treatments level is significant differences between the treatments on the 1%. Mean comparison of efficacy percentage of the insecticides in Mazandaran and Golestan showed that Biscaya 0.350 l/ha with 78.11±2.01 and 84.36±1.72% efficacy, respectively, ranked as first group. Imidacloprid 1 l/ha, thiacloprid 0.300 l/ha, thiacloprid 0.250 l/ha, Diazinon 1.5 l/ha and Zolone 3 l/ha were grouped afterward, respectively.

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) is an important pest cause a lots of damages these days in various climates condition. 1,7-Dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane (olean) as a attractive compound of the olive fruit fly was prepared successfully by several chemical steps. At first, this cyclic attractive compound was prepared from the reaction of the protected alchohol 3-butyn-1-ol and -valerolactone, followed by catalytic hydrogenation and finally treating with an acidic condition afforded olean. Attractiveness of Iranian synthesized pheromone a, at doses of 1, 2, 5, 50 and 100 mg was compared with non-Iranian synthesized pheromone and a control treatment (sticky yellow trap without pheromone) in 4 replications in an olive orchard (3 ha) at Kalaj region (Trom Sofla, Ghazvin) in 2010. Sticky traps (20×25 cm) were placed at the middle and southern part of trees. Distance between traps was 100 m. Pheromones were left in the traps for one month during which their catches were recorded weekly. Each week the sticky traps were renewed. Analysis of variance showed that during the first two weeks, Iranian synthesized pheromone at 50 and 100 mg doses had the highest catch rates which were not significantly different for non-Iranian synthesized pheromone catch rates. Analysis of variance showed that during the third week of study, there were significant differences in catch rates of Iranian synthesized pheromone and non-Iranian synthesized pheromone.

Olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), is one of the most injurious pests of the olive in Iran. Since its introduction to Iran, in 2004, it has caused considerable economic loss to the domestic olive industry, especially in the years when the climate is favorable to its activity. In this research, we evaluated the infestation rates of olive fruit fly in 22 imported and native olive cultivars at Tarom Olive Research Station, Zanjan, Iran, from 2005 through 2009. The first sampling was started at hard pitting time and continued until harvesting time in which 20-50 fruits were collected from each tree (replicate). Totally 60-150 fruits, from 3 replications, were carefully examined under stereomicroscope in the laboratory. Using the formula of Sqrt (x + 0.5), the data were transformed and subjected to analysis based on Randomized Complete Block Designs usingsoftware SAS, 9.0. The results revealed that among the four recommended cultivars for the region, the cultivar "Arbequina" showed the lowest rate of infestation, while "Konservolia"," Zard", and "Koroneiki" were the most susceptible cultivars due to their higher rates of infestation in 2005 (11.62%, 13.74% and 7.56%), 2007 (3.23%, 1.01% and 1.49%) and 2009 (10.03%, 34.75% and 15.10%), respectively. The cultivars "Lechin de sevilla" and "Manzanilla cacereña" were found to be unfavorable to olive fruit fly.

The soybean pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Lep.: Noctuidae) is the most important pest of soybean crop. Its larva feeds on young leaves, terminal and apical buds and pods of the crop and causes damage. In order to introduce new insecticides for chemical control of this pest, present experiment was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with seven treatments in three replications in Mazandaran, Ardabil (Moghan) and Golestan provinces in 2011. The treatments included chlorfluazuron (Atabron® EC 5%), with three doses (500 ml/ha, 75 ml/ha and 1000 ml/ha) as a new insecticide, indoxacarb SC15 (250ml/ha), thiodicarb (1000g/ha), profenofos (2500ml/ha) and control (sprayed with plain water). Insecticide application was carried out when most of the pest eggs were hatched and very young larvae started feeding on the crop. Sampling and counting of the pest larvae were performed 1 day before and 3, 7, and 14 days after the treatments by randomly selecting 10 plants from four middle rows in each plot. Data were analyzed with SAS software, the means were compared using Duncan and the larval mortality was calculated by Henderson-Tilton formula. The results show that there is a significant difference in the percent efficacy among the treatments. The results of all three provinces are similar. The mean comparison of percent lethality based on Duncan test showed that the least larval lethality percentage occurred on the day three after the treatment. Mean comparison of percent efficacy of the tested pesticides in provinces of Ardabil, Mazandaran and Golestan showed that Chlorfluazuron (1000ml/ha) with 89.3%, 74.67%, and 60.05% and indoxacarb SC15 (250ml/ha) with 87.57%, 77.73% and 57.68% ranked first in the group. Chlorfluazuron, 750 ml/ha (83.69%, 60.87%, 35.86%), Chlorfluazuron, 500 ml/ha (75.42%, 53.1%, 40.93%), thiodicarb (75.69%, 45.33%, 34.81%) and profenofos (68.64%, 35.17%, 31.85%) were ranked in the next groups respectively. Chlorfluazuron (1000ml/ha) and Indoxacarb SC15 (250ml/ha) showed the highest efficacy against the larvae and therefore both of them could be recommended for the chemical control of H. armigera in soybean fields.

An experiment was carried out in split plot design with 3 main plot (Planting dates of 11, 21 Nov. and 1 Dec.) and 4 sub plot (cultivars Hyola 401, Hyola 308, PF and Option) and 4 replications in Behbahan Agricultural Research Station during 2005-2007. The experiments were carried out in sprayed and non-sprayed parts. The infected stem length, contamination percentage and index, capsule number, seed number in capsule, 1000 seed weight and seed yield were measured in sprayed and non-sprayed parts and the means were compared with Duncan test. The results showed that the lowest contamination index (0.97 and 1) were observed in Hayol 401 in the first planting date in two years and highest of contamination index (6.26, 7.08, 6.39 and 4.14) were observed in the PF and Option cultivars in the third planting date in 2005 and 2006, respectively. The highest seed yield was observed in Hayol 401 (3726 Kg/hect.) in the first planting date in 2006 and the lowest seed yield was observed in PF and Option cultivars (1738 and 1855 Kg/hect., respectively) in the third planting date. The seed yield reduces evaluated about %12-20 in the first planting date and about %23-33 in the third planting date in all cultivars and non-sprayed parts. Therefore, using suitable planting date of 11 and 21 Nov. and Hyola 401, 308 cultivars, can prevent population pick and damage of aphids in the most sensitive growth stage of canola (flowering stage) and finally yield loss.

The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. is one of the most important pests of canola which induces serious damage to the crop over the country. Use of resistant varieties along with proper sowing time, are IPM-based methods, which were studied in Saveh fields of Markazi province Iran through growing seasons of 2004-2005 and 2004-2005. We used a layout of split plot design consisting of varieties of RGS003, Licord, PF, and SLM046 (as main plots) and 3 sowing dates of 20 Sep. 5 Oct. and 10 Nov.(as sub plots) at 3 replicates, Natural aphid infection was sufficient. The aphid density was estimated by counting occurance of the pest number on one centimeter of the upper parts of the 10 randomly selected canola stems. Also yields of each plot were measured using a quadrate of 1 ×1m. Results showed that first date of planting (22th Sep.) during both years of study produced significantly highest yield (139.33 & 149.97 kg/ha) respectively but the lowest density of aphids (20.88& 13.05) per sampling unit. The cultivar "RGS003 which yieldied 146.67 and 144.84 kg/ha and attracted 32.56 and 48.67 aphids in both years of study was evaluated as superior cultivar to others. Overall results suggest the date of first planting and "RGS003 cultivar for the region of study. 

Olive fruit fly is the most important pest of the olive orchards throughout the world. The study of biological indexes was conducted in olive orchards and laboratory at Tarom-Zanjan research station. Results revealed that adults appeared out of the pupae from mid. April while the first infection time was recorded in ‘Konservalia’ cultivar in early July of the 2007 but early June of the 2008. The detailed study of the injurious generation of the pest showed that adults mating occurred at 3-7 days and led to egg laying after 14 days; the time from egg incubation till 3rd instar larval exit lasted 34.7±2.14 days and sex ratio was calculated as 1:1 (female:male). Reaction of the olive cultivars (Konsearvalia, Mari and Zard) to the fly was different based on the final product of the orchard implying if the fruits are grown for table olive, the Konservalia, Mari and Zard may be damaged respectively but in the case of oil production the trend of damage will be shifted to Mari, Zard and Konservalia.

The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hem., Aphididae), is an important pest of canola in Iran and causing serious direct and indirect damage to canola fields. In this research, effect of some IGRs such as: Pyriproxyfen, Hexaflumuron, flufenoxuron (at 500, 750, 1000 ppm concentration) and imidacloprid (1000 ppm concentration) on cabbage aphid was evaluated in growing season of 2008-2009 in Pasargard region of Fars province. Samplings were conducted before spraying and tree times after the spray at 3, 7 and 14 days interval. Statistical analysis of results including aphid mortalities as well as yield assessment showed that treatment of imidacloprid, inducing 87% mortality along with 1990 kg/ha yield, differed from the others, significantly. Among the insect growth regulators, hexaflumuron with 85% mortality, was the most percent of mortality and increased yield of crop. Based on overall results, hexaflumuron insecticide at 1000 ppm concentration could be one of the recommended pesticide for controlling cabbage aphid.

Increasing of population and outbreak of the turnip sawfly Athalia rosae (Hym.: Tenthredinidae) caused severe damages in many fields of Marivan region in 2001. In this study, biological traits and population dynamics of this pest were investigated in Marivan region during 2004-2005. Results showed that this pest has 3 generations per year and main damage to canola caused by larvae of 3rd generation that its adults emerged in mid of September. The larvae of first and second generations feed on weeds and vegetables in Brassicaceae family. The adult of first generation emerge at early of April and they mate immediately then lay the eggs. Maximum number of laid eggs by one female sawfly in laboratory condition was 57 and mean was 28.2±14. The average developmental periods of egg and larvae were 5.1±0.59 and 17.65± 1.57 days, respectively and the means of pupa stage for females and males were 9.8±1.29 and 12±1.95 days, respectively and total life span was 32-38 days. Average longevity of adult female and male was 9.4±2.24 and 5.7±1.42 days respectively. Sexual ratio (male: female) in the natural condition were 1: 2.68 and 1: 3.03 in 2004 and 2005 respectively. This insect overwinters as final instar larva in a coccon in a few centimeters deep in the soil.

Different species of aphids in rapeseed fields of Khuzestan province were identified and the dominant ones were determined during 2002-2004 field sampling. Base upon the collected data, population fluctuations of rapeseed aphids vs. their natural enemies were assessed. Also biology of the aphids, major species was studied under controlled conditions. The results showed that Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.), Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) were active in rapeseed fields of Khuzestan with 66.71, 24.99 and 8.29 percent of population, respectively. The contamination index of L.erysimi was minimum in February (10.5–28.6) while maximum (224–1072) in early until mid March at an average temperature of 17-17.6?C and %50 R.H.. The contamination index in 2004 was more than in 2003. Controlled conditions indicated that L. erysimi bears a life cycle of 7.65?1.12 days along with the ability to reproduce 43.5?18.5 nymphs in her life time. The major predators were Cocinella septempunctata L., and Episyrphus balteatus F. which emerged in December and January with their peaks occuring in March. Two parasitoid wasps Diaeretella rapae M. and Aphidius ervi H. with 78.2 and 21.8 percentage of total population respectively, parasitized the aphids with 1.76–8 percents during the studing period. The above natural enemies could not control the increased population of the aphids because of limited fecundity and feeding and as well lack of synchrony with the aphid life cycle.