Abstract Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are among the most serious agricultural pests globally, causing significant economic losses in fruit production and posing major quarantine concerns for many countries. Bactrocera zonata , one of harmful species family Tephritidae, has recently established Iraq. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) potential EPNs can be used as vital tools integrated pest management (IPM) programs both organic conventional systems. In our study, three – two native...

The genus Choeras Mason, 1981 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Microgastrinae) in northern Iran is studied taxonomically. Specimens were collected using Malaise traps during 2010 and 2011. A total of five species identified, three being new which are described illustrated: formosus Abdoli & Fernandez-Triana sp. nov., C. fulviventris nov. qazviniensis Talebi Two (i.e., taftanensis tiro) provincial records. number now raised to seven. An identification key all West Palaearctic provided.

Dipterological surveys were conducted in different sites western and central parts of northern Iran (Guilan, Mazandaran, Kordestan, East West Azerbaijan Ardabil provinces) during 2010–2011 using Malaise traps, 2012–2014 employing sweep nets. A total 110 species collected, including 42 Dolichopodinae. Eleven dolichopodine proved new to science, eight which are described here: Dolichopus fuscicercus sp. nov., D. subimmaculatus Gymnopternus flavitibia G. atratus Hercostomus setitibia H....

The present study is based on the genus Cotesia Cameron,1891 collected from Khuzestan Province in Southwestern part of Iran during 2016–2017. Nine species (+200 specimens) were and identified. We recognised three new species, which we describe illustrate here: elongata Zargar & Gupta sp. nov., C. khuzestanesis nov. zagrosensis Two are recorded for first time Iran: cynthiae (Nixon, 1974) glabrata (Telenga, 1955). A faunistic list with distribution Iran, a modified key to include brief...

The performance of two aphid parasitoids, Aphidius colemani Viereck and matricariae (Haliday), against Aphis gossypii Glover on greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Myzus persicae (Sulzer) sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum were evaluated at various constant temperatures. Biological parameters both parasitoids including developmental time, pupal survivorship, percentage parasitism, sex ratio the progeny studied 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 degrees C. At 25 C, an average 10.0 +/- 1.1 9.8 d was...

The present study is based on the genus Bracon Fabricius collected from Khuzestan province in southwestern part of Iran during 2016-2017. In total, 35 species including one subspecies were and identified, which 10 are recorded for first time (Osculobracon) pelliger rumezensis Samartsev Zargar ssp. n. described. addition, 24 Iran. Brief diagnoses with illustrations new records a faunistic list distribution data provided.

Specimens of the Opiinae subfamily (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were collected using Malaise traps during 2010–2011 in Northern Iran (Alborz, Guilan, Mazandaran, Qazvin and Tehran provinces). A total 32 species belonging to 12 genera identified, which 11 are new records for fauna Iran: Apodesmia posticatae (Fischer, 1957), striatula Biosteres (Chilotrichia) advectus Papp, 1979, Bitomus (Bitomus) multipilis Fischer, 1990, Desmiostoma parvulum (Wesmael, 1835), Opius (Misophthora) rufimixtus 1958,...

The genus Microplitis Förster, 1862 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) was studied from northern Iran. Specimens were collected using Malaise traps during 2010–2011. A total of 13 species and identified, which six are recorded for the first time Iran: M. cebes Nixon, 1970, docilis eremitus Reinhard, 1880, kaszabi Papp, 1980, pallidipennis Tobias, 1964 varipes (Ruthe, 1860). Two new records west Palaearctic region. species, alborziensis Abdoli & Talebi sp. nov., is described...

The lifetime functional response and predation rate of Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot on eggs the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch were determined under laboratory conditions using cucumber leaf discs. Densities 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 128 prey offered to 3, 5, 6, 7, 12, 17, 22 27-day-old A. individuals. Based logistic regression, twelve-day-old was type III, while other ages showed II. Rogers model used estimate searching efficiency (a) handling time (Th). longest...

It has been shown that pollen as a dietary supplement may increase the establishment of generalist predatory mites, and therefore pest control by these mites can be provided. Life table studies were performed to evaluate nutritional value seven different pollens (almond, castor-bean, date-palm, maize, bitter-orange, sunflower mixed bee pollen) supplementary food source for spider mite predator Neoseiulus californicus McGregor. In addition, quality each species was assessed through...

Two new species of mites the genus Premicrodispus Cross, 1965 (Acari: Microdispidae) are described and illustrated from northern Iran: paramaevi Hosseininaveh Hajiqanbar sp. nov. recovered Lucanus ibericus (Col.: Lucanidae) spinosus Corticeus unicolor Tenebrionidae). It is first phoretic record microdispid on beetles family Tenebrionidae. A key to Palaearctic provided.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:49368637-B8D0-4697-9184-28B33B89962A

Corresponding author: Samira Farahani, E-mail: s.farahani@rifr-ac.ir Copyright © 2016, Farahani et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided original author source are credited. Iranian Braconidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea): diversity, distribution host association

Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot is used as a biocontrol agent against various pests. Pollen grains not only provide important nutrients but also play an role in providing the energy source of migration and aid reproduction process for different predators such phytoseiid mites, especially if being consumed along with main prey. Because no research has addressed nutritional value combination non-prey food diets Tetranychus urticae Koch A. swirskii, this study aims to determine some...

Miscophus binaludensis Schmid-Egger sp. nov., flavus & Ghaderipour hormozganensis kharazii nov.Miscophus liebigi pseudopapyrus nov. are described from Iran.

Functional response and mutual interference are the most important behavioural characteristics that reveal different aspects of host–parasitoid interactions. In this study, functional parasitoid wasp, Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh) attacking cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus) were investigated. Logistic regression was used to distinguish shape (type II or III). Nonlinear least-square estimate attack rate (a) handling time (Th). Nicholson’s model linear determine per capita...

Abstract: Temperature‐dependent development, survivorship and reproduction of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii on Cucumis sativus L. were evaluated at six constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 35°C). Developmental periods immature stages varied from 20.70 days 10°C to 3.81 30°C. The population failed survive 35°C. As temperature increased, intrinsic rate increase ( r m ) followed a typical asymmetrical dome‐shape pattern, with maximum value 0.419/day 25°C. Survival differed 55.97% 93.14%...

Integrated Pest Management programs rely heavily on maximum preservation of predatory insects and mites. Considering the fact that pollen spectrum accepted by Typhlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein & Arutunjan is not known, this study aimed towards a comparison suitability seven different pollens including almond (Prunus amygdalis Batsch), maize (Zea mays L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus date palm (Phoenix dactylifera bitter orange (Citrus aurantium bee castor bean (Ricinus communis as...