فصلنامه تحقیقات آفات گیاهی
سال دوم شماره 4 (زمستان 1391)

During 2011-2012 a survey was carried out for identification of Prostigmatic mites of citrus orchards in Guilan Province. In this survey, total of 22 species belonging to 21 genera and 13 families were collected and identified. Among them, 9 genera and 9 species are the first records for Guilan Province fauna and two genera and three species are the first records for Iranian mite fauna that marked with one and two asterisks respectively. The list of identified species is as follow:Anystidae: Anystis baccarum Linneaus, 1886; Cunaxidae: Cunaxa papuliphora* Sergeyenko, 2009, Pulaeus martini* Den Heyer, 1980, Coleoscirus buartsus*Den Heyer, 1980, Cheyletidae: Cheletogenes ornatus*Canestrini and Fanzago, 1876, Cheletomimus berlesi* Oudemans, 1904, Hemicheyletia wellsi Summer and Price, 1970; Eriophyidae: Phyllocoptruta oleivora Ashmead, 1879; Caligonellidae: Caligonella humilis*Koch, 1838; Camerobiidae: Tycherobius sahragardi**Khanjani et al., 2012; Raphignathidae: Raphignathus hecmatanaensis Khanjani and Ueckermann, 2003; Stigmaeidae: Eustigmaeus anauniensis* Canestrini, 1889, Eustigmaeus segnis*Koch, 1836, Ledermuelleriopsis plumosa*Willamann, 1950, Storchia rubusta Berlese, 1885; Neopygmephoridae: Pseudopygmephorus pappi** Mahunka, 1976; Tenuipalpidae: Brevipalpus obovatus Donnadieu, 1875; Tetranychidae: Panonychus citri McGregor, 1916, Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836; Tydeidae: Tydeus meshkinensis* Andre et al., 2010, Brachytydeus mali**Oudemans, 1929;Trombidiidae: Allothrombium pulvinum Ewing, 1917.

Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chyrsomelidae) is a key pest of potato worldwide. Given the adverse effect of the pesticides applied against this pest, alternative method for the pest control is unavoidable. Thus, the aim of the current study was to study the effect of wheat cultivars proteinaceous extract against the beetle α-amylase. The enzyme extraction from the beetle and proteinaceous extract from the wheat seeds were done using distilled water and 0.1 M NaCl, respectively. The results showed that proteinaceous extracts of wheat seeds have great ability to inhibit Colorado potato beetle α-amylase. Enzyme assays in the presence of five concentrations of Aflak and MV-17 wheat seed cultivars showed a dose dependant manner of enzyme inhibition. Remaining activity of the enzyme when concentrations of 17, 8.5, 4.25, 2.125 and 1.06 µg protein of extract were used was 18, 30, 45.74, 48.74, 58.32, and 60.72%, respectively compared to control. The results showed that Aflak cultivar is less effective in the enzyme inhibition than MV-17 cultivar. Studying the effect of pHs on the inhibition showed that the greatest inhibition in the presence of the highest amount of inhibitor was observed at pH 5. Gel assays showed that bands intensity was decreased in the presence of different concentrations of both cultivars extracts and the changes of the bands intensities was dose dependant.

Population fluctuations, and parasitoids complex of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton were studied in two citrus orchards from June 2010 to September 2011 in Shiraz. To determine the density of P. citrella 10 trees were selected randomly every week and 40 leaves were collected from each tree. Weekly sampling in 2 orchards showed that the citrus leaf miner was emerged from the early May and increased its population gradually and reached to its maximum when the temperature was between 23.5–33.5 ◦C and the relative humidity was between 31.5–39% in June and July 2010. Insect population decreased during the summer month to the end of the August. Then the insect population increased. In early September and reached to its maximum when the temperature was between 21–27◦C and the relative humidity was between 34.5–44.5% in November. Because of the cold weather, the population density decreased from the end of January and reached to the minimum to the end of April. Four species of hymenopterous parasitoids were found and identified namely, Pediobius pyrgo (Walker), Pediobius saulius (Walker), Pnigalio soemius (Walker) and Closterocerus formosus (Westwood) (Eulophidae). The most common parasitoid during 2 years sampling was determined P .saulius

The common pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt and Lauterer (Hem.: Aphalaridae) is one of the most important pests of pistachio trees in Iran. Cultural methods such as crop fertilization can affect susceptibility of plants to insect pests attack by altering plant tissue nutrient levels. In this investigation we studied in relation to varying fertilization levels of Ca, U, Zn and amitraz on common pistachio psylla, A. pistaciae in pistachio orchards based on complete randomized blocks with six replications and nine treatments including applied Ca, U, Zn, Uzn, Uca, ZnCa, UZnCa, amitraz and control on common pistachio psylla fed on 20-year-old pistachio trees of Ahmadaghaei rootstock in Rafsanjan orchards. The results showed that the effect of nutrient solution on nymph and eggs population had a significant difference at %1 and 5% level, respectively. The highest measure of control on eggs was related to UZnCa while the least was related to ZnCa and amitraz. The results also showed that the highest measure of pest control was related to Ca while the least was related to amitraz and UZn. The results indicated that the elements mentioned had a stronger reducing effect on the concentration of common pistachio psylla nymphs than the effect pesticide had.

The common pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt & Lauterer (Hem.: Psyllidae), is considered as a common pest of pistachio orchard in Iran and also as a major pest in Khorasan Razavi province. So far pesticides as a main method to control of the pest were not satisfactory. The use of resistance cultivars is important in the pest management programs. In this study, the population of different age stages of common pistachio psylla were assessed on six pistachio cultivars (Badami Sefid, Ghermez, Barg Siah, Kale Ghuchi, Akbari, Fandoghi) in Faiz abad region (Khorasan Razavi province) during 2010 and 2011. Sampling was carried out on four trees for each cultivar in 10-12 days intervals. The populations of egg and nymph stages were recorded in laboratory through cut leaves. The limb tapping method was used for adult density evaluation. According to the results, there was not significant interaction between year and cultivars (p>0.01). The results showed that there were significant differences among egg densities on examined cultivars, ranged from 3.4±0.013 eggs on Badami Sefid to 12.35±0.044 eggs on Ghermez cultivar. The lowest and highest nymph population was recorded on Badami Sefid (2.19±0.013) and Ghermez (8.77±0.033), respectively. The mean population of adult was significantly different on cultivars, in which, Ghermez (4.26±0.026) and Kale Ghuchi (4.15±0.038) had the highest density of adult population. The results revealed that there might be some physical or chemical sources of resistance in Badami Sefid and Barg Siah cultivars which make them unsuitable for different stages of the pest and reduce their population. These results could be prerequisite for determining the resistant cultivars and a successful IPM program for the pest.

Rose is one of the most valued cut flowers and Tetranychus urticae Koch is one of its most important pests. Due to harmful effects of pesticides, biological control is one of the best methods in pest control. Typhlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein & Arutunjan from family Phytoseiidae is a species with wide distribution in Iran. Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot is an exotic and most commonly used species in greenhouses. Functional response is one of the important criteria for the effectiveness estimation in biological control programs. In this research, functional response of three-days old mated females to different densities to T. urticae eggs was studied on Rosa hybrida cv. Blarodje. Prey densities were 2, 4, 8, 15, 25, 35, 50 and 75 for females of P. persimilis and 2, 4, 8, 15, 25, 35, 50, 75, 100 and 120 for females of T. bagdasarjani. Based on logistic regression, functional response type III was determined for both predators. Also, handling time and b parameters for P. persimilis were estimated 0.5939±0.0058 hour and 0.0187±0.0020 and handling time parameter and b and d parameters for T. bagdasarjani were estimated 0.2409±0.0067 hour, 0.0033±0.0007 and 0.0637±0.0246, respectively. Functional responses of two predators were compared with each other. Handling time has significant differences in two Predators. Apparently, T. bagdasarjani ability in predation on T. urticae eggs is more than P. persimilis.

During a faunal study in the years 2012- 2013 on coccinellid beetles in East Azarbayjan Province, several coccinellid specimens were collected in Namnagh (46° 34' 27" N, 38° 47' 0" E) and Horand (47° 21' 58" N, 38° 51' 2" E) regions, respectively in Jolfa and Ahar cities. Specimens were identified after  preparing slides from male and female genital organs. Based on identification keys in related references, collected specimens were identified as Vibidia duodecimguttata (Poda, 1761). This identification was confirmed by Dr. Helmut Fürsch (Bayerwaldstraße, 26, D-94161, Ruderting, Germany). This species is recorded for the first time from Iran.