Identification and study of environmental factors affecting the infestation of babylon weeping willow trees to the clearwing moth, Paranthrene diaphana (Lep.:Sesiidae) in Tehran

In this study, identification of clearwing moths and also effect of some environmental factors on the infestation level of babylon weeping trees to this pest species has been investigated in different landscape regions of Tehran city during 2016-2017. To this end, the landscape areas were divided into two regions based on the altitude: 1) between 1000-1400 meters (south Tehran region) and 2) between 1400-1800 meters (north of Tehran). Five parks were considered in each region. To evaluate effect of grassland type on the infestation, percentage of infestation in each park had been separately recorded for planting trees in meadows and trees on the boulevards. Data analysis was performed as a factorial experiment with a randomized complete blocks design consisting two factors (altitude and grassland type). According to the study, Paranthrene diaphana Torre & Strand (Lep.: Sesiidae) was identified as the dominant species which was not reported from Tehran region so far. The results of the statistical analysis showed that altitude had a significant effect on the pest dispersion so that level of infestation in south of Tehran was about 100 percent and almost two times more than the central and northern Tehran. Also, tree plantation in the meadows significantly reduced the pest infestation, up to 50%.