Introduction of wild almond pests species in Karebas region in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiary province

The "Karebas" area is one of the habitats of various wild almond species in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. During 2012- 2014, collecting and identification of pests of four wild almond species, Amygdalus arabica Oliver, Amygdalus haussknechtii (C. K. Schneider), Amygdalus elaeagnifolia Spach and Amygdalus scoparia Spachwas carried out in this region. Sampling was performed by the usual methods from the beginning until the end of the growing season. In order to determine the degree of infestation of pests, ten shrubs from each species in three altitude classes (1600-1800, 1800-2000, 2000 m) in both northern and southern ranges of this area were selected and infestation level was determined for each pests. The results indicated that Capnodis tenebrionis, Osphranteria coerulescens, Scolytus amygdali, Eurytoma amygdali, Cicadatra alhageos, Chlorosalta smaragdula, Empoasca decedens, Lasiocampa nana, Hystrix indica, Loranthus grewinskii and Orobanch sp have important role in destroying wild almonds in this area. In addition, we found two species of flowering parasites Loranthus grewinskii Boiss & Buhse and Orobanch sp. having a significant activity and damage on the species. Also, the infestation level of different pests varied according to the almond and pest species. In general, average pest infestation on the all selected shrubs of the four almond species in this habitat showed that the C. tenebrionis infecting crown and root and L. nana had the highest (11.52%) and lowest (1.66%) infestation level, respectively.