Effect of planting flowering plants in pomegranate orchards on egg parasitism level of the carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller), by Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko

Flowering plants can attract and retain natural enemies and increase their longevity and fecundity by providing pollen and nectar. In this study the effect of flowering plants including: yarrow (Achillea millefolium subsp. elbursensis), thyme (Thymus daenensis), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) were investigated on eggs parasitism of Ectomyelois ceratoniae by Trichogramma brassicae in Isfahan pomegranate orchards during 2009-2011. Relative attractiveness of floral plants to T. brassicae was assessed using Sitotroga cerealella (Oliv.) egg cards. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 8 treatments and 4 replications. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and mean comparison were performed using Duncan's multiple range test. The results indicated that fennel planting caused the highest parasitism (6.72%) of the pest eggs and the lowest damage of fruits (24.92%). The Fennel was the most preferred flower to attract Trichogramma wasps (11.19%) among the floral plants tested. In order to improve the biological control of the pest, it is recommended that planting flowering plants can be considered in integrated pomegranate moth management.