Biological study of juniper berry miner moth (Argyresthia praecocella, Zeller 1839, Yponomeutidae) in Qazvin province

Juniper forest with 3400 hectares area in the north of Ghazvin province includes a mixed type of two different species; Juniperus excels M. bieb and J. communis L.. Unfortunately, the natural regeneration of these valuable plants decreases continuously as a result of human and livestock interventions such as shoot cutting and grazing and some arthropod pests as juniper berry miner moth that feed on fruits and seeds and is the subject of present study. The research was conducted in Hossein Abad Tarom (1800 meters altitude) 45 km to west Loshan in 2009-2011 periods. Samples were collected in three different sites with different geographical altitude. For studying biological features of the moth, samples were taken bi-weekly throughout fruit ripening period in the growing season. In this research Argyresthia praecocella was identified on the Juniperus excels fruit. Based on the results, this pest produces one generation per year. Larval feeding activity damages exo-carp of juniper fruit. The larval activity inside the fruit, starts from August and continues through December. This insect overwintered as pre-pupa under juniper bark. Adult moths emerged from late April till early Augusts in this area, and after mating lay their eggs on newly formed juniper fruits. Based on Dayars index, the pest has five larval instars.