Journal of Entomological Society of Iran
Year:2022 | Volume: | Issue: |Papers Count:8

High temperatures and low-humidity are the favorable conditions for spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch and Schizotetranychus smirnovi Wainstein, to cause serious threat to quality and quantity of almond. This study was undertaken to understand population changes of the spider mites during the normal and dry years and to predict the possibility of the pest outbreak in order to develop a successful integrated management strategy. Population fluctuations of S. smirnovi and T. urticae were studied on almond (Mamaei variety), from April to October of 2007-2009, in Saman orchards, Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province, Iran. Meteorological data of three nearest synoptic stations including Saman, Zaman khan and Shahre-kord were collected from the Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari meteorological organization. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was used to detect meteorological droughts based on the monthly rainfall input data of three synoptic stations. The results showed the year 2008 as an extremely dry year, while revealing 2007 and 2009 as normal years. Comparison of spider mite population density in this year (SPI <-2) with the normal years, 2007 (SPI =-0. 53) and 2009 (SPI= 0. 41), showed a significant increase in the population density of, S. smirnovi, (14. 65 and 2. 95 times) and T. urticae (7. 28 and 2. 87 times) compared to 2007 and 2009, respectively. Spearman’s correlation analysis showed significant negative correlation of mean precipitation with population density of, S. smirnovi, (r =-0. 65, p=0. 022), T. urticae (r =-0. 73, p=0. 0001), and the predatory thrips, Scolothrips longicornis Priesner, (r =-0. 67, p=0. 0001) during three studied years. In the drought year, the phytophagous mite’s population increased in response to high temperatures and low humidity. In a such year, the almond trees can be more vulnerable to mite damages and control is necessary.

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera,Noctuidae), is an important polyphagous insect pest of many vegetable and field crops in most parts of the world. Aimed at studies on insect manage methods including sterile insect technique (SIT), it is necessary to continuously maintain laboratory colonies of insect species on an artificial diet. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of different protein-based diets (soybean chunks, chickpea, kidney bean, mung bean, pinto bean, white bean, lentil and corn) on the biology and growth indices of S. exigua. For this purpose, different artificial diets were prepared and the larvae were reared on these diets. The larval survival, larval period, pupation, pupal weight, pupal period, adult emergence, adult longevity, fecundity, fertility and life span were calculated accordingly. The larval survival rates were lowest on lentil, pinto bean and corn diets (P < 0. 01) and pupation did not occur on these diets. Based on the results, among the other five artificial diets, all the highest studied parameters, the developmental and reproduction values and growth indices, were recorded on soybean chunks and chickpea diets (P < 0. 01). The larval survival, pupation rates, larval growth index and fitness index have been further optimized when these two protein-based ingredients were mixed together (50: 50). Consequently, soybean chunks and chickpea are introduced as the best dry ground protein ingredients in the beet armyworm artificial diet.

Cockroaches are the most resistant urban and domestic pests in the world. Hence, investigations into alternative control strategies such as the use of active compounds of plants against this insect pest are important. In this study, Francoeuria undulata (L. ) plants were collected from Isfahan province, Iran, then the essential oil of aerial parts of the plant was extracted by hydro-distillation. Plant essential oil was analyzed using GC/MS. German cockroaches, Blattella germanica L. (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), were obtained from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Different concentrations of F. undulata essential oil were prepared in acetone, and contact and repellency tests were carried out on German cockroaches. Moreover, 40 male rats were divided into 4 groups including 1. Control and 3 treated groups that received F. undulata oil with 5%, 15%, and 30% v/v concentrations once daily for 10 days. The blood samples were collected and biochemical parameters were assayed in serum. Also, the liver tissue was isolated for histopathological examination. The major components of the essential oil were 1, 8-cineole (26. 02%), α-pinene (12. 51%), Camphor (8. 36%), and Camphene (5. 03%). The results showed that the concentrations of 5%, 15%, and 30% v/v of F. undulata oil in 60 min of exposure had 100% insecticidal activity against German cockroaches. The repellency percentage of F. undulata oil at 5% concentration was not significant compared to the control, while the concentrations of 15% and 30% of essential oil showed a significant repellent effect on German cockroaches. Furthermore, the essential oil, at 5% concentration, was non-toxic to the livers of rats. The changes in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were also detected in the treated rats. Our findings revealed that the F. undulata essential oil has effective insecticidal activity against German cockroaches, making it a candidate for controlling this pest.

Kriechbaumerella Dalla Torre, 1897 is a relatively small genus of the family Chalcididae and it is rarely collected in Iran. The current paper presents new data on the occurrence and distribution of the Kriechbaumerella species in Iran, representing three species, including Kriechbaumerella hofferi Bouček, 1952, K. gracilis Nikolskaya, 1952 and K. similis (Bouček, 1956). Of which, K. similis is a new record for the Iranian fauna. Some diagnostic characters and geographical distribution of these species were provided and an identification key to Iranian species is prepared

Considering the importance of the species of the genus Diglyphus Walker, 1844 (Hym., Eulophidae: Eulophinae) in the biological control of leafminers, a faunal study was conducted during 2018–2020 in alfalfa fields in West Azarbaijan province, northwestern Iran. Six Diglyphus species were collected and identified, i. e. Diglyphus crassinervis Erdös, 1958,D. isaea (Walker, 1838),D. poppoea Walker, 1848,D. propodealis Szelényi, 1978,D. pusztensis (Erdös & Novicky, 1951),and D. sabulosus Erdös, 1951,of which D. propodealis is a new record for Iranian fauna, that is known just from its type locality, Hungary. Notes on diagnostic characters and illustrations of D. propodealis are given. Its association with alfalfa fields is the first association report. All six reported species are new to the West Azarbaijan province. A distribution map of reported species is provided and the known Diglyphus species in association with alfalfa in Iran are also reviewed

Charipinae species present in India are revised and taxonomic changes are proposed for some species recently described from this country. In total seven species are nowadays valid from India: Alloxysta brevis (Thomson, 1862), A. consobrina (Zetterstedt, 1838), A. nottoni Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar, 2015, A. pleuralis (Cameron, 1879), Phaenoglyphis indica Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar, 2013, P. longicornis (Hartig, 1840) and P. villosa (Hartig, 1841). Alloxysta ochracea Bijoy & Rajmohana, 2013, is a new synonymy of A. brevis (Thomson, 1862). Alloxysta bhagyae Bijoy & Rajmohana, 2013, A. indica Bijoy & Rajmohana, 2013, and A. sholicola Bijoy & Rajmohana, 2013 are new synonymies of A. consobrina (Zetterstedt, 1838). Comments and figures are included here to support these taxonomic changes. Diagnosis for these species and a key to identify the Charipinae from India is also incorporated.

A survey on the eriophyid mite fauna of Maku County in West Azerbaijan province, Iran was carried out during summer 2020 and 2021. Sampling was done on the most abundant plant species of this area. Fourteen Aceria species were collected and identified: Aceria balasi Farkas, 1960, collected on Carduus acanthoides L. (Asteraceae), and Aceria inturbida Boczek, 1961, collected on Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae), were new to the Asian mite fauna and a supplementary description of them was provided. Eight species including A. khaniensis Honarmand, Sadeghi & de Lillo, 2020, A. chenopodia Xue, Sadeghi & Hong, 2009, A. longisolenidia Lotfollahi, Haddad & de Lillo, 2015, A. cichorii Petanovic, Boczek & Shi, 2002, A. verbenacae de Lillo, Panzarino, Loverre & Valenzano, 2017, A. zygofabae Lotfollahi, de Lillo & Haddad, 2017, A. tragopogonis Xue, Sadeghi & Hong, 2012 and A. lobolinguae Lotfollahi & de Lillo, 2014 were new records to the fauna of West Azerbaijan province, Iran.

The role of blood cells as the main components of the physiological defense of insects has been reported. Blood cells are the first factors of the circulatory system that participate in dealing with all kinds of stress and foreign factors. In the present study, four types of blood cells were identified in the hemolymph of the sugar beet weevil Lixus incanescens, which include prohemocytes, granulocytes, plasmatocytes and oenocytoids. Plasmotocytes were the largest hemocytes in terms of size, and the abundance of granulocytes and plasmotocytes in third (70 %) and fourth instar larvae (more 75 %) was higher than other cells. These findings are important as the first step in immunological studies of this insect.