Preliminary study of biology and population dynamics of Megophthalmus scabripennis on Amygdalus haussknechtii Edwards (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in field condition in Chaharmahal& Bakhtiary province

Wild almonds are valuable species with broad ecological ranges and high genetic diversities for reforestation in Zagros forest. Therefore, for identification pests affecting these valuable species, the current research carried out between 2014 -2015 in Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiyari province. Megophthalmus scabripennis species had severe damage on Amygdalus haussknechti shrubs. To study the population dynamics of the pest, twelve shrubs were randomly selected. In each sampling date, the number of leafhopper at each stage was counted in four netting. For study the leafhopper biology in Tomanak - Ben region, three weeks prior to emergence of overwintered adults, sampling nets were placed on infested trees. The results indicated that pest overwintered as adults. These adults oviposited in spring and their nymphs hatch out of the eggs and go through five instars. This leafhopper had three generations in a year in this region. The abundance peak points of adult insects were in the end of May, early of July and October for all three generations, respectively.