Journal of Entomological Society of Iran
Year:2005 | Volume:24 | Issue:2|Papers Count:22

Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi) is a pest of Picea abies (L.) in Mazandaran providence. Its biology was studied in the labroatory and field conditions during 1992-94. Laboratory investigation carried out in three temperatures, 20°C±1, 25°C±1, 30°C±1 and 65±5 percent R.H. with 12 hours light. Duration of generation, oviposition period and longevity of mature mite at 20.C±1 were 21.49±1.17, 19.2±0.26 and 20.8±0.6 days and at 25°C±1 were 15.4±0.82, 15.9±0.32 and 17.2±0.67 days respectively-Average number of eggs laid in a generation and in a day at 20°C±1 were 23±1.28 and 1.6±0.26 and at 25°C±1 were 27±1.97 and 2.3±0.28 respectively upt. seven generations can develop in a year. At 30°c none of immature stages of 0- ununguis survived to maturity. Sex ratio (male / female) in laboratory condition was 1: 3,1. This species overwinters in the egg stage. The highest peak of the population was observed in August and September. Further to christmas tree and Abies spp., this pest was collected on Juniperus spp. as well.

The Indian Meal Moth Plodia interpunctella HÜbneris considered as an important stored pest for pistachio nuts. The Carob Moth, Apomyelois (=Ectomyelois) ceratoniae (Zeller), attacks pistachio nuts both in nature by feeding on fresh kernel (at pistachio orchards) and also dried pistachio nuts in store-houses. This study was carried out to determine the thermal constant and the lower threshold for the two above pistachio stored pests under controlled conditions (constant temperature ranged between 17.5-32.5°C, 55±5% r.h. and 16:8 L:D). The insects in the investigation were drawn from cultures maintained in the laboratory fed by pistachio nuts. Development of each insect from egg to adult emergence was checked in separate experiments. The mean for each temperature, lower threshold, and thermal constant were calculated from the pooled data of male and female developmental time from egg to adult emergence. The theoretical lower threshold for development was found to be 13.1 and 9.4°C for P. interpunctella and A. ceratoniae respectively. The thermal constant (in degree days centigrade above the threshold) of examined insects was estimated 526.3 and 769°D (degree days) using linear regression equation. Based on these results, it is suggested that if pistachio-products would be kept in maintain their storage below 9.5°C, they will be safe against damages of both, the Indian Meal Moth and the Carob Moth insects.

In an attempt to find a natural and inexpensive method for the control of stored-product pests, fumigation toxicity and repellency effects of essential oil of Salvia bracteata Banks and Soland (Lamiaceae) was investigated on four species of stored product insects including: Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Col.: Bruchidae), Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Col.: Tenebrionidae), Sitophilus oryzae L. and Sitophilus granarius L. (Col.: Curculionidae). Experiments were carried out at 30±2˚C and 60±5% R.H. under dark condition. A split plot with five replications was adopted for fumigation test and a factorial experiment of completely randomized design with five replications for repellency effect experiment. The higher the concentration of essential oil, the higher the mortality percentage of pests were recorded, and at the highest concentration of essential oil (0.926 III / ml) the mortality were recorded as 76.52, 75.15, 76.26 and 78.00% against C. maculatus, T castaneum, S. oryzae and S. granarius, respectively. The LC50 values were, 0.188, 0.293, 0.252 and 0.231µ/ml for C. maculatus, T. castaneum, S. oryzae and S. granarius, respectively. The essential oil have significantly showed repellency effects on the pests, and at sub lethal concentration (0.03µ/ cm3) caused 38.11, 46.42, 41.00 and 43.70% repellency for C. maculatus, T castaneum, S. oryzae and S. granarius, respectively. As essential oil of S. bracteata have shown high mortality on three different families of stored product insects. These observations, therefore that the essential oil of this medicinal plant can be effective against a broad range of warehouse pests.

Twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari, Tetranychidae) identified as one of the serious mite pests of cotton in Iran. The damages caused by mite under field condition during summer months. Feeding of mite lead to yellowish along with webbing around the leaves with reddish spots in upper leaves surface and brownish symptom of injury under leaves side. Pile contents and shape of the leaves found differ and effective on mite feeding according cotton varieties. Rate of infestation have been worked out under filed condition of released as well as investigated cotton varieties (818-312, No.200, No.259, Tabladila, Sindose, Gukororova) in Kashmar region during 2001-2002. The complete block randomized design with 3 replications was used for mite eggs and active stages sampling. For counting mite stages, 4 square centimeter quadrate placed under leaf side. Collected data were analyzed with SAS and Duncan's multiple range test method and results indicated that, maximum and minimum means of eggs were 4.33, 2.03 for Tabladila and Gukororova and active stages 2.40, 1.57 recorded for No.259 and Gukororova var. respectively for the first year of study. In last year, maximum of eggs and active stages recorded 6.30, 4.13 and minimum 2.60, 1.40 for varieties of No.200 and Gukororova respectively. Application of Mite-Days formula on collected data indicating that, there was no any difference between varieties on mite abundance.

Evolved new silkworm lines and hybrids call for complementary tests specially estimating general and special combined abilities of lines and heterosis of hybrids. In this study, estimations of genetic parameters were evaluated on four Japanese (101433, Xihangl, Xihang2 and Xihang3) and three Chinese (Komingl, Koming2 and Y) lines, which recently were isolated during breeding programmes. The economic characters of the lines and their hybrids were recorded and analyzed. The general combining ability effects of Japanese lines were significant for all traits (P<0.01).This factor was highly significant in Chinese lines for production traits (P<0.0001), but not significant for resistance characteristics. In Japanese group, the general combining abilities of survived larvae number, survived pupae number and pupation rate in 101433 varieties (14.84, 34.55 and 10.65, respectively) were higher than that in other varieties. In Chinese lines, the highest general combining abilities of these characters belonged to Komingl variety (5.86, 9.00 and 2.82, respectively). Special combining abilities were significant for survived larvae number and production traits (P<0.05). This factor for resistance characteristics in Xihangl×Komingl was higher than the other hybrids. Chinese lines had high resistance and low genetic variation for resistance traits, while the Japanese lines showed lower resistance and higher genetic variation. High non additive genetic variances of cocoon characters indicate the high heterotic effects on these traits.

In order to investigate the effects of preserving newly hatched larvae of Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) at 5°c on economical characters of Silkworm, an experiment was conducted with seven treatments including non cold preservation (T1: Control), 48hr (T2), 96hr (T3), 144hr (T4), I92hr (T5), 264hr (T6), and 480hr (T7) in spring of 2001. All larvae were reared under recommended standard conditions. The economical characters were recorded and analyzed using a complete randomized design (C.R.D.) model with seven treatments and three replications by means of IRRIST AT statistical programe. The obtained results showed that cold shock had significantly affected economical characters of silkworm larvae. In this regard cold treatments had lowered the characters such as weight of mature larvae, moulting and feeding duration, larval period, number of total as well as best grade cocoons, number of middle grade cocoons, weight of cocoon, weight of male cocoon, weight of female cocoon, weight of the best grade cocoon, weight of shell cocoon, weight of female shell cocoon, weight of male shell cocoon, weight of female pupa and weight of male pupa (P<0.05). All treatments significantly (P<0.05) increased the larval mortality, weight of double cocoon, number of cocoon per liter, shell percentage of female cocoon and cocoon shell percentage.

Leptocybe invasa Fisher & LaSalle, inducing typical galls on the stems, petioles and leaves of Eucalypt (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) in Shiraz, Iran, is reported and some notes on the biologyare provided. This wasp displays thelytokous reproduction and only female is known. Developmental time from oviposition to emergence of adult is 126.2 and 138.3 days in laboratory and field conditions. Respectively the galls reached 2-4 mm length and red color at the end of larval development. The wasp overwintered as mature larva and pupa and adults began to emerge from early spring and started oviposition. It seems that the wasp produce two or three overlapping generations annually in the Shiraz region.

In the current study, 56 species of sphecid wasps were identified from different parts of Iran and identification keys are presented to genera and species. Distribution, nesting habitat and their preys are briefly presented. The species are as follows, of which 9 genera and 19 species marked by an asterisk are newly recorded from Iran. Ammophila dives Bmlle, A. heydenii Dahlbom, A. sabulosa (L.), Podalonia hirsute (Scopoli), P. tydei (Guillou), P. erythrocephala (F.), P. minax (Kohl), P. morawitzi (A. Edem), Sphex eatoni Saund., S. jlavipennis Fab., S. maxillosus Fab., S. argyrius Brulle, S. lividocinctus Costa, S. pruinosus Germar, S. regalis Smith, Prionyx nudatus Kohl. P. viduatus (Christ), P. nigropectinatus (Tasch.), P. stschurowski Rad., P. songaricus Ev., Sceliphron madraspatanum pictum (F. Smith), S. destillatorium (Illiger), S. arabs (Lep.), Chalybion femoratum (Fab.), Tachysphex pompiliformis (Panzer), T brul/ii (F. Smith), T incertus* Radoszkowski, T mocsary Kohl.*, T unicolor (Panzer), Larra anathema (Rossi), Liris niger (Fab.)*, L. subtessellatus (F. Smith)*, L. haemorrhoidalis (Fabricius)*, Tachytes etruscus (Rossi)*, Palm'us variegates (Fab.)*, Miscophus ater Lep*, Trypoxylon attenuatum F. Smith*, T clavicerum Lep.*, T scutatum Chev.*, Astata boops (Schr.)*, A. minor Kohl*, A. kashmirensis* Nurse, Harpactus laevis (Lat.), Sphecius antennatus (Klug), Bembix bidentata V. Linden *, Philanthus triangulum (Fab.), Cerceris sabulosa * (Panz.), C. jlavilarbis (Fab.)*, Pemphredon lethifera (Schuckard), Diodontus tristis (V. Linden), D. minutus Fab., Psenulus meridionalis de Beau., Mimesa grandii Maidl, Passaloecus gracilis (Curtis), Oxybelus latro Oliv.*, Crossocerus exiguus (V. Linden)*.

In the course of bioecological study of Hyles euphorbiae (L.) (Lep.: Sphingidae) on Euphorbia spp. weeds in spring of 2002 in west Azarbaijan province (northwest of Iran), a tachnid parasitoid was collected and identified as Exorista grandis Zetterstedt by Dr. Hans- Peter Tshorsnig of Natural History Museum of Germany. This species parasitizes several larval instars of H. euphorbiae. The last instar larvae of the parasitoid leave host body and develop to pupae under surface soil.This species overwintered as pupa in west Azarbaijan conditions and adult insects emerged in late May. Body length of this tachinis fly 1.121±0.13 cm, body in female black and thorax in males with dark brown bands, wings in males with black spots. The number of frontal, Proclinate orbital and reclinate orbital setae are 7, 2 and 2, respectively.E. grandis has been reported from various parts the world especially European countries as a parasitoid of several lepidopteran species of Saturnidae, Pieridae, Limantridae and Papilionidae families. This species is a new report from Iran.

In order to study ground beetles fauna of Fars province during 2003-2003. Pitfall traps and light traps were used to collected a large number of species. The specimens were identified based on morphological characters and male genitalia mentioned in different taxonomic Keys. Dr. Mike Cox of the Natural History Museum of London confirmed the identifications. Review of Catalogue of Palearctic Coleoptera indicated that Broscus punctatus Dejean, 1828 and Calosoma imbricatum dserticola Semenov, 1897 as new for Iranian fauna. B. punctatus was collected in August 2003 in Shiraz by light trap. The species was recorded from Egypt, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nepal, Yemen and Greece and belongs to Broscini tribe of Broscinae. B. batesi Smenov, 1891. B. davidianus Fairmaire, 1888. B. limbatus Ballion, 1871 and B. nepalensis Hope, 1831 are the synonymies.C. imbricatum deserticola was collected in June 2003 in jahrom by pitfall trap and recorded from South of Russia, West of Siberia, Kazakhstan, Uzbakistan and Turkmenistan. The species belongs to Carabini tribe of Carabinae. C. imbricatum lojjleri Mandie, 1953 was reported from Sistan-Baluchestan province ofIran before.

In the course of a survery carried out in spring and summer of 2003 to study insect fauna of poplar-alfalfa agroforestry system in Alborz Research Institute in Karaj, a great numbers of nymph and adult Cicadellid leafhoppers feeding on both sides of black poplar, Poplus nigra L. leaves were collected. The specimens were sent to museum and institute of zoology in Polish Academy of Sciences and identified by the fourth author as Rhytidodus nobilis (Fieber).Apex of processes of aedegus siverging, styli without thick setae, dorsal margin of vertex with black band. Males are yellowish, pronotum dark brown, with light speckles, hemelytra dark brown, with three bands consisting of fused light spots. Females are ventrally yellowish, dorsally reddish brown, often with traces of bands like those of the males. Adult insects are 5.7 - 6.5 mm in length and feed only on black poplar.The species are reported for the first time from Iran.

In the course of studies carried in 1988-2000 to identify fauna of Carabidae in Shiraz of Fars province, large numbers of ground beetles were collected and identified. Of all collected species, 5 species belong to 4 subfamilies are recorded for the first time in Iran.1- Bembidinae, BembidiniBembidion (Peryphus) fuscicrus (Motschlsky, 1845)2- Harpalinae, Harpalini, GraphipteriniStenalapphus moria (Menetries, 1838)Syn: Idiomelas moriaGraphipterus minutus (Dejean, 1822)3- Callistinae, CallistiniChlaenius extensus (Mannerheim, 1825) (Carabus)4- Lebiinae, LebiiniLebia chlaracephala (Hoffmannsegg, 1803), valid name (=Chrysacephala Mots.)Mike Cox, from the Natural History Museum of London confirmed the identification.

Seed gall wasps of Dog rose, Rosa canina L. and their parasitoids were collected from Tehran, Tabriz and Orumieh during 2002-2003. These wasps were transferred to the laboratory and were held in cages at room conditions for at least six months. Two ichneumonid wasps were emerged from the galls, which are newly recorded from Iran.1- Orthopelma mediator (Thunberg, 1822)It has been reported as a parasitoid of several species of Diplolepis sp. in Europe.2- Exeristes roborator (Fabricius, 1793)It is a polyphagous ectoparasitoid, attacks several pests such as Larinus obtusus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Rhyacionia buoliana (Lep.: Tortricidae), Pectinophora gossypiella (Lep.: Gelechidae), Diprion pini (Hym.: Diprionidae). Here, it is reported for the first time as a parasitoid of Diplolepis sp.

During a research (2002-2003) on lepidopteran biological control agents for Euphorbia spp. In Urmia region, some larvae, were collected from roots of Euphorbia boissieriana Prokh and reared until adult emergence. The adults were sent to the fifth oauthor in Belgrade, Serbia and was identified as Chamaesphecia schizoceriformis Kolenati, 1846.The Chamaesphecia schizoceriformis has a wide individual variation especially in size and color. Alar expanse 21-28 mm, forewings black and in males with three distinct hyline areas. Abdomen black, posterior margins of 2nd, 4th and 5th tergites white. Nearly, posterior margins of all tergites diffusely covered with yellow to greenish scale. This species (which is known only from the Caucasus Mts (Georgia, Armenia) and north-east of Turkey) is a new record for fauna of Iran.

An investigation on the Pentatomid fauna of west Azarbaijan was carried out during 2003-2004 and a new genus and species of this family collected from Kanibazar region of Mahabad vicinity (in the south province) was identificated as Trochiscocoris hemipterus and confirmed by the Insects Taxonomy Research Department J (Plant Pest and Diseases Research Institute, Tehran).The genus has been reported from other parts of Palearctic region, including Turkey and Georgia. There is no report on its economic importance. The species was collected on Isatis sp. (Brassicacae).Lack of the membranous part of hemelytra is the outstanding morphological character of the genus which distinguishes it from other genera of the family.The adult is egg-shape and black in color with the lateral, distal and proximal margin of pronotum, apex of scutellum, external margin of hemelytra and connexivum being light yellow, scutellum triangular and apex semicircular, apex of genal plates of male markedly thickened, subcoxa white. Female larger than male (4.5 and 5.8 mm, respectively).The insect activity could be observed in the period April to August.

In the course of studing was Thysanoptera fauna of Pistacia atlantica Desf. in Kerman province, one specimen was collected on the leaves and identified as Liothrips austriacus (Karny). This species is new for the fauna of Iran and P. atlantica is new host for it. Until now, this thrips is widely distributed in Europe, Anatolia and Cyprus have been collected on maple, Hornbean, Cornus and Quercus. In Iran there is another species of Liothrips recorded previously from Pistaicia vera L., as. L. jakhontovi Kreuzderg 1955. That species seems to be con specific to L. setinodis (O.M. Reuter, 1880). Identification of species confirmed by R. Zur Strassen of Frankfort museum, in Germany.Liothrips austriacus can be disinguished from other western Palaearctic species of the genus by the yellow antennal segments III-VII, yellow tarsi, yellow anterior tibiae, and yellow distal part of middle and hind tibia. The setae on head and prothorax are black, while those on the terminal abdominal segmants are fairly pale. Head longth to width female is about 1.2 to 1.3 and, that of the male is about 1.4 to 1.5. Seta SI on tergite IX is as long as or slightly shorter than the tube.

During a faunistic survery on aquatic beetles in Ardebil vicinity (Iran) in 2003, many specimens were collected and identified.Haliplus heydeni Wehncke, 1875, is recorded for the first time of Iran. The speciments were identified at genus level and sent to Dr. Bernhard van Vondel (Netherland) for further confirmation and identification.The species has previously reported from the most of north europian countries including, Britain, Scandinavia, exsoviet union, eastward to Siberia and in Southern Europe from Spain, Balkanian countries, Turkey, eastward to Transcaucasia and Kazakhstan. The synonyms of H. heydeni include:Haliplus foveostriatus Thomson, 1884Haliplus Transverses Thomson, 1870Haliplus pedemontanus Fiori, 1904Haliplus multipunctatus Wehncke, 1875

Microcerotermes Silvestri is a cosmopolitan genus and is distributed in all zoogeographical regions, except the Nearctic region. During the study of Iranian termite fauna, specimens of Microcerotermes were collected from Zabol (Eastern of Iran, Sistan). Morphological studies indicated that specimens belonged to a new species. In imagos, the head-capsule pale brown; postclypeus, labrum, antennae, pronotum and legs yellowish brown; tergites brown; intersegmental membrane pale yellow. In soldiers, the head-capsule yellowish brown, oval; anterior margin and around the antennal suture darker; antennae paler than the head-capsule; mandibles dark brown; legs and abdomen yellow. Microcertermes sistaniensis sp. n. comes closest to Microcerotermes diversus Silvestri, but can be separated from the lather on the basis of the morphological characters of the soldier and alate imago. In soldiers of M. sistaniensis, head oval, yellowish brown, the maximum width of head 1.12 mm, head length at mandible base to the maximum width of head (L/W) 1.23. In soldiers of M. diversus, head subrectangular, yellowish, the maximum width of head 0.90 mm, head length at mandible base to the maximum width of head (L/W) 1.55. In alate imagos of M. sistaniensis, the length of body without wings 6-7 mm, the length of head to the tip of labrum 1.19 mm and head width 1.07 mm. In alate imagos of M. diversus, the length of body without wings 4.5-5.2 mm, the length of head to the tip of labrum 0.91 mm and head width 0.78 mm.