A preliminary study on the biology of Epiblema aquana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in rose gardens of Kashan, Iran

Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.), a plant growing in low water area of Kashan (Iran), has economic importance. One of the pests of the plant is Epiblema aquana (Hubner) [=Notocelia raborana Den. & Sciff.] from Lepidoptera order and Tortricidae family. During 2000-2001 some aspects of pest morphology and biology were studied in rose gardens of Kashan region. By inspecting rose gardens in different regions of Isfahan province (Iran), host range of the pest was studied by inspecting different plants inside and margins of the rose gardens and infected regions were recorded. Results showed that the larvae start their feeding from early May. After formation of flower buds, they make a feeding nest, through spinning threads between buds and the nearest leaves. Larval feeding leads to destruction of small buds and damage to larger buds. Adults appeared from late June to early August and females laid the eggs in clusters, under leaves. In addition to damask rose, the pest could feed on other roses and also on fruit trees in the margins of rose gardens. The pest was distributed in different rose gardens of Kashan and Ghamsar regions. The highest density, however, belongs to Barzok region, which has the highest cultivation area of damask rose in the province.