A new species of Angelopteromyia Korneyev, 2001 (Diptera,Platystomatidae) from Iran,with the key to the species

Angelopteromyia korneyevi Mohamadzade Namin, sp. n. from Iran is described and figured. The new species is similar to other species of Angelopteromyia in having abdominal spiracles 5 of females not approximated medially, as well as clypeus extended postero-ventrally, antenna shorter than face, and R₁ and R₄₊₅ setulose on dorsal side. It differs from other species of Angelopteromyia by having mostly brown wing with 3 hyaline crossbands and a few hyaline spots, and dark brownish basal and costal cells without hyaline spots.     

A new species of Urophora Robineau-Desvoidiy, 1830 (Diptera, Tephritidae) from Iran

Urophora merzisp. n. reared from flower heads of Centaurea behen Linnaeus is described from Iran. It is similar to Urophora campestris, Urophora sachalinensis, Urophora stylata, Urophora tsoii and Urophora vera in wing pattern with 3 well developed crossbands and indistinct subbasal crossband, differing in aculeus tip with two pairs of diminished preapical steps and different host plants.     

Fertility life table parameters of different strains of Trichogramma spp. collected from eggs of the carob moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae

Fertility life table parameters were assessed for five populations (strains) of two Trichogramma species, T. embryophagum Hartig and T. principium Sugonyaev & Sorokina, collected from eggs of the carob moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller) in Iranian pomegranate orchards. Four combinations of two constant temperatures (25°C, 30°C) and two relative humidity levels (50% RH, 70% RH) were used. The overall intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m) was significantly decreased with decreased relative humidity but was uninfluenced by temperature. The highest and lowest r_m values were observed in T. embryophagum from Qum (0.34 ± 0.004) and T. embryophagum from Varamin (0.13 ± 0.01), respectively. Two‐way interaction analyses revealed that the strains had significantly different responses in their r_m values at different temperatures and relative humidities. In general, r_m values were significantly higher at 25°C and 70% RH than at 30°C and 50% RH. The Qum strain of T. embryophagum was the most promising candidate to be considered as a biocontrol agent against E. ceratoniae due to its high reproductive rate (0.27 ± 0.01) at conditions (30°C and 50% RH) similar to the actual climatic conditions in Iranian pomegranate orchards during the major part of the growing season.     

Seasonal variation in susceptibility of the pear psyllid,Cacopsylla permixta (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) to selected insecticides

Although Cacopsylla pyri Forster and Cacopsylla pyricola Linnaeus have long been considered as more significant pests of pear trees around the world, Cacopsylla permixta Burckhardt and Hodkinson is the most significant pest in some parts of Iran, especially in pear gardens of Karaj. Current control strategies against this pest in Iran generally involve five or six insecticide treatments each year, despite unsatisfactory results are reported at many localities. So, it is crucial to know the most susceptible generation of the pest to apply a good strategy for its control. The aim of this study was to explore the seasonal variation in susceptibility of C. permixta to four commonly used insecticides. The results showed that winter forms (February) were 2.71‐fold, 4.58‐fold, 3.26 fold and 3.38‐fold more tolerant to diazinon, imidacloprid, acetamiprid and abamectin, respectively, compared with summer forms. Also, Esterase, GST and P450 monooxygenase activity was highest during February. Moreover, the content of lipid, carbohydrate, glycogen and protein was significantly higher in February compared with other months. Based on these results, the best period for insecticide treatment for efficient control is treatment against the first generation, at the time when eggs are laid by females as well as during the egg hatching and the larvae appearance. At this time of year, psylla are more susceptible, which would likely lead to better results and the reduction in damage during the next summer. However, further studies are needed to test this in farm settings, and to whether this holds true for other psylla species.     

Rearing larval stages of Hippodamia variegata Goeze (Col.: Coccinellidae) on artificial diet

The ladybird Hippodamia variegata Goeze is a widespread species found in many parts of the world. It is an efficient predator which feeds on a wide range of pests, specially aphids and other sap feeders. Mass rearing of this predator, in order to use in biological control programmes, entails a great deal of difficulties, among which are the aspects associated with nutrition. Applying artificial diets is of a great importance in mass rearing of biological control agents. We investigated the use of 15 artificial diets that included three separated experiments, in order to rear larval stages of this ladybird. The survival rate and developmental time were assessed on each treatment. The survival rate of the larvae on best diet was 53.30, 93.33, and 93.33% in different experiments. The developmental time in the experiment 1, 2 and 3 for the larva fed on the Aphis fabae was 15.59, 15.51 and 15.94, respectively, but when nourished by the best artificial diets, this factor was 26.59, 26.60 and 20.59, respectively. Developmental time for the larvae fed on A. fabae was significantly shorter than developmental time of larvae on artificial diets. Our results showed that artificial diets have the capacity to support the larval development to adulthood.