The outbreak report of ash defoliator sawfly, Tomostethus sp. outbreak (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) from Iran

Until now, many pests associated with the common ash and its outbreaks from Europe have been reported including the ash sawfly, Tomostethus (Blennocampinae). The present study was carried out in spring of 2017 following the severe outbreak of the ash sawfly in West Azarbayjan, north Zagros forests. The collected specimens were identified using molecular methods and sequencing of a partial COI. The Blast results showed a sequence of the present study is related to the genus Tomostethus and the species, T. nigritus with 92 percent similarity. The ash sawfly is dispersed as calmly on the margin of the Zab River in West Azarbayjan province. The current primary study on the existence and prevalence of this pest in northern Zagros should be considered seriously and details of the aspects of intense control and monitoring should be determined for the management of the invading pest in the attention of forestry conservation officials.