k. kheradmand

In the present study, the effects of different supplementary ingredients on blastospore production of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. Strain IRAN 1395C were evaluated. In the first step, effects of extracts of different agricultural products including rice bran, wheat bran, barley bran, maize bran, and potato waste on blastospore production were evaluated. Our findings revealed that the medium containing rice bran extract provides the best conditions for sporulation. Then, different supplementary proteins including whey, soybean, and egg white with a concentration of 4% were added into the rice bran medium, and their effects on blastospore production were investigated. Different proteins had no positive effects on sporulation. In the last step, effects of adding different chloride salts (KCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2) to the selected culture medium on the increase of blastospore production was studied. The results obtained indicated that use of calcium chloride (CaCl2) had the highest effectiveness on blastospore production than other salts tested. Finally, the pathogenicity of blastospores obtained from liquid medium and conidia harvested from solid culture was compared on Tetranychus urticae Koch. The bioassay output revealed no statistical differences between the pathogenicity of blastospore obtained in liquid medium (LC50 = 3.29 × 106 Blastospore/ml) with conidium produced in solid medium (LC50 = 3.23 × 106 Conidium/ml). The present findings revealed that liquid media could be so helpful for developing mass rearing programs of B. bassiana.

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), is one of the key pests that can damage a wide range of crops in farms and greenhouses. Using chemical pesticides is one of the main methods for its management. Laboratory bioassays were conducted to evaluate the effects of sub-lethal concentrations (LC5, LC10 and LC20) of Biomite (a formulation based on Citronellol) on biological characters and life table parameters of T. urticae under laboratory conditions (25±2°C, 60±5% RH, and L:D16:8 hours). Data were analyzed based on age-stage, two-sex life table analysis. Our results indicated that when adults of T. urticae were treated with LC5, LC10 and LC20 of Biomite, the oviposition period and total lifetime were significantly reduced compared with the control. The highest and lowest values of the fecundity (61.1 and 41.56 eggs/female) and longevity (13.01and 9.97 days) were obtained in control and LC20, respectively. The individuals treated with LC10 (R0 = 38.1) and LC20 (R0 = 32.92) showed a significantly reduced net reproductive rate, compared to individuals that treated with LC5 (R0 = 47.01) and to the control (R0 = 48.88 individuals/female/generation). The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ), were not significantly reduced in different treatments compared to the control. The mean generation time (T) decreased significantly at upper concentration (LC20=15.58 days), in comparison to LC5 (16.66 days). Due to the obtained results of current study and considering the detrimental effects of Biomite on some biological parameters, it could be incorporated in IPM programs of T. urticae.

Background and Objectives Tetranychus urticae, as the two-spotted spider mite, is considered as one of the most important and destructive herbivorous mites in farms and greenhouses, which is very important to control due to its wide host range. The damage caused by agricultural pests combined with the harmful effects of synthetic chemicals used in their control can be mitigated or eliminated by using botanicals, which are derived from renewable resources including a mixture of various bioactive ingredients. Therefore, finding a suitable alternative way for controlling this pest is necessary by considering the resistance to acaricides, as well as undesirable effects of chemical compounds. The present work aims to evaluate microcapsule essential oil of Mentha piperita and its lethal and sublethal toxicity to T. urticae. Materials and Methods Laboratory bioassays were used for evaluating the sublethal effects of peppermint essential oil microcapsules on biological and population parameters of T. urticae. The life table parameters of T. urticae were conducted on leaf discs under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2°C, 60 ± 5% relative humidity, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) hours. Then, the duration of each stage, developmental time, and survival were observed and recorded daily. In addition, the raw data were analyzed based on age stage two-sex life table theory with MS-Chart. Results Based on the results, microcapsules of Menthe piperita caused a significant reduction in fecundity and longevity. Those treated with LC20 and LC30 had a significant reduction at net reproductive rate, compared to those treated with LC10 and untreated ones. The intrinsic and finite rate of increase reduced significantly in higher concentration compared to the control. In addition, the mean generation time decreased significantly at the upper dose, compared with LC10. Discussion Botanic acaricides can be used for controlling Tetranychus urticae, and the microencapsulated formulation of these products makes them more stable. Familiarity with the chemical nature of the bio-active pesticide/acaricidal compound can be considered in future research which can play a role in developing an effective and environmentally friendly treatment against spider mites, leading to a decrease in reliance on synthetic pesticides/acaricides. The results of this study can be used in designing the mentioned pest management programs by considering the detrimental effects of M. piperita essential oil microcapsule on some biological parameters of T. urticae.

Two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch is one of the most serious pests of crops in the world. Due to undesirable effects of synthetic pesticides، this research was conducted to achieve alternative safe compounds. In this research، lethal and sublethal effects of Cuminum cyminum and Eugenia caryophyllata essential oils on Tetranychus urticae were studied under laboratory conditions at 25± 1 °C، 65± 5 RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h. Fumigant toxicity at cumin (LC50= 3. 74 ppm) was more than clove (LC50= 6. 13 ppm) oil. Total pre-adult developmental time was significantly shorter when treated with Eugenia caryophyllata oil compared with control. Mean total fecundity (eggs/female) was ranged from 31. 08 at treated with clove oil compare with 64. 44 at control. The calculated net reproductive rate (R0) was 12. 99 and 11. 54 at treatment with cumin and clove oils respectively which were significantly shorter than control. The intrinsic rate of increase was 0. 21 and 0. 15 (offsprings/female/day) for control and treated populations with both essential oils، respectively. This study revealed that these essential oils may be suitable sources as alternatives for chemical pesticides.

During a study on the pests of button mushrooms in the city of Kermanshah، the sphaerocerid species of Pullimosina heteroneura (Haliday) was collected from mushroom culture media. This species is a new record for the Iranian insect fauna.

The predatory bug, Anthocoris minki pistaciae was known as a natural enemy of the common pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae in pistachio orchards in Kerman province. The prey consumption and fecundity of this predatory bug were determined at constant temperatures, 50-60% R.H. and 16:8 L: D hours using psyllid nymphs as prey. Based on the results, prey consumption was increased up with increasing of temperature significantly. The daily prey consumptions at nymphal stage were increased from 13.6 at 17.5 C to 21.3 at 30 C on average. The adult’s prey consumption at two temperatures of 27.5 C and 30 C were 41.76 and 50.87, respectively and the differences were significant. The effect of five different prey densities e.g. 10, 15, 25, 50 and 75 fourth instars’ psyllid nymphs were examined on predator’s fecundity for 7 consecutive days. The results showed that this predator laid 4.5, 6.7, 9.9, 10.6 and 11.1 eggs per day respectively. This study revealed that the nymphs of A. pistaciae are a suitable prey for A. minki pistaciae for development and reproduction. In addition, this predatory bug has ability to keep its population under a harsh condition, like when the prey density is in low level.