Identification of the pupal parasitoid wasps of grape berry moth Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller)(Lep.,Tortricidae) in Orumieh vineyards

In this study the parasitoids occurring on pupa of (GBM) Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) which is the most serious pest of grape in Orumieh vineyards, was collected and identified during 2004-2006 and their potential in natural biologic control was assessed in 2005 and 2006 years. Pupae of grape berry moth were collected from under loosen barks of insecticide-free vineyards of Kahriz horticulture station from early October until mid April (emergence of GBM adults in nature) and reared in containers at 25±2°C 50% relative humidity in laboratory. Emerged adult parasitoid were identified and their relative abundance was determined. Rate (%) of parasitism for L. botrana pupa was calculated as the number of parasitoids over the total amou of emerged parasitoids and moths, and their emergence trend was discussed according to 2005 and 2006 years data. Six parasitoid species including: Itoplectis tunetana (Schmiedeknecht), Pimpla arcadica Kasparian, Pimpla sp.nr confinis Kasparyan and Dicaelotus inflexus Thomson belonging to Ichneumonidae and Pteromalus puparum(L.) and Homoporus sp. belonging to Pteromalidae were reared from grape berry moth pupae. The species P. arcadica, P. confinis and D. inflexus are new for insect fauna of Iran and the occurrence of all parasitoids on GBM pupa are reported for the first time. Pupal parasitism ranged from 13 to 42 percent in various sampling occasions with an average of 20.6 ± 2.80 percent for two years.