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The dry bubble disease, caused by Lecanicillium fungicola, is an important fungal disease of white button mushroom in Iranian mushroom production farms. Twenty-three isolates of the pathogen collected in Iran and identified as L. fungicola var. fungicola, were compared for genetic polymorphism, diversity in growth rate and virulence. Ten Universal Rice Primers (URP) were used to evaluate the genetic diversity of L. fungicola var. fungicola. URP analysis showed that the genetic diversity of Iranian isolates was low (average 10 % over the 10 primers used) and that they were almost clonal. Relative correlations between geographical origins of isolates and molecular grouping were observed but there was no correlation between mycelial growth rate, virulence assays and URP patterns. Significant differences were observed between isolates based on mycelial growth rate and virulence assays. The high level of genetic homogeneity is attributed to the effect of fungicides used for control of the mushroom diseases which might have imposed a significant selection pressure on the fungal populations.  

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So far, three aphid species including Aphis fabae Scopoli, 1763, Brachycaudus cardui (Linnaeus, 1758) and Paczoskia meridionalis Holman, 1981 are reported on Echinops in Iran. In this study, two more aphid species were collected on Echinops in Iran: Myzus persicae(Sulzer, 1776) and Turanoleucon jashenkoiKadyrbekov, 2002.The little-known aphid genus Turanoleucon and the species T. jashenkoiare reported here for the first time from Iran. The biometric data of apterous and alate viviparous females of Iranian population of T. jashenkoiare given from specimens collected from Fars province, Iran. The morphological differences between Iranian population and the original description of the species, i.e. Kazakhstan population, are discussed. An identification key to the apterous viviparous female aphids living on Echinops in Iran is provided.

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In this study, two aphid species i.e. Macrosiphoniella vallesiacae Jörg & Lample, 1988 on Artemisia aucheri and A. sieberi and Uroleucon pilosellae (Börner, 1933) (Hem.: Aphididae) on Scorzonera sp. were collected which are reported here for the first time from Iran. The biometric data of the Iranian populations of these two aphid species are given. An identification key to the apterous viviparous female aphids of the genus Macrosiphoniella living on Artemisia in Iran is provided.

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Fauna of the Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of Iran is reviewed and the data on their host aphid associations are summarized. Seventy-eight species belonging to 17 genera of Aphidiinae are listed in the associations with 193 aphid species. A total of 491 parasitoid-aphid associations are presented. The distribution of the Aphidiinae species in different parts of Iran and other countries is also discussed.  

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To determine the effective bio-control agents of water fern, Azolla filiculoides, adults and nymphs of water lily aphid, Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae (L.), were collected on A. filiculoides in Guilan Province, Iran, during October 2013. This aphid has been collected extensively from almost all water fern samples during 2013 and 2014. Although R. nymphaeae was reported from numerous host plants in Iran, this species was collected for the first time from water fern. This aphid is heteroecious holocyclic with a sexual phase on Prunus spp., but it is the first report of its sexual phase formation on water fern as secondary host plant.

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During the study of aphid fauna of North-Khorasan province, Iran, an aphid species, Brachycaudus cerasicola (Mordvilko, 1929) (Hem.: Aphididae), was collected on Salvia aethiopis, Stachys turcomanica, Hymenocrater elegans, Perovskia abrotanoides and Phlomis cancellata (Lamiaceae) in 2016 and 2017 which is reported here for the first time from Iran. The first to third host plants reported as the new hosts for this aphid. Since the original descriptions of this species by Mordvilko (1929) and Shaposhnikov (1964) are rether brief, so we report here additional notes and more detailed biometric data on this species. The biometric data of the Iranian populations of B. cerasicola is given and compared to the original descriptions.

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During 2015–2017, 28 aphid species belonging to 12 genera were collected and identified on Asteraceae plants in North Khorasan province, Iran. Among these, three aphid species including Macrosiphoniella frigidivora Holman & Szelegiewicz, 1974, Macrosiphoniella szalaymarzsoi Szelegiewicz, 1978 and Protaphis iliensis Kadyrbekov, 2001 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are new for aphid fauna of Iran. Brief redescriptions of Iranian populations of these three species are given and compared to the original descriptions.

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The thermophilic fungus Mycothermus thermophilus is one of the most important thermophilic fungi in mushroom composting process. Thirty nine isolates of M. thermophilus were collected from nine provinces of Iran and were identified as M. thermophilus based on morphological features and ITS regions. The studied isolates significantly increased the growth of Agaricus bisporus hyphae compared to control when used in vitro situation. Also the colony morphology of the mushroom changed when it grew on the colony of M. thermophilus. While the studied thermophilic isolates were morphologically different, no diversity was observed in terms of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) finger-printing. The genetically clonal population of M. thermophilus collected from Iranian mushroom composting farms was attributed to lack of sexual reproduction, similar raw materials used in compost formulations, compost temperature, and concentration of ammonia during pasteurization as selection pressures.

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During the study of aphid fauna of Kerman province, Iran, an aphid species, Chaetosiphella longirostris Wieczorek, 2008 (Hem.: Aphididae: Chaitophorinae), was collected on Stipa arabica Trin. & Rupr. (Poaceae), which is reported here for the first time from Iran. This is the second aphid species reported on Stipa in Iran. Since there were some morphological differences between the original description of C. longirostris and Iranian population, here we made a diagnostic comparison. The biometric data of the Iranian population of C. longirostris is given and compared with the original description.

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More than 104 aphid species are living on Rosa spp. in the world. So far, only 14 of them were reported from Iran. In this study, besides the species already living on Rosa in Iran, two aphid taxa, i.e., Maculolachnus sijpkensi Hille Ris Lambers, 1962, and M. submacula (Walker, 1848) (Hem.: Aphididae) living on Rosa beggeriana are reported for the first time from Iran. Biometric data and biological characteristics of these two aphid species are given. An identification key to the apterous viviparous female aphids living on Rosa in Iran is provided.

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Aphids constitute a significant cohort of herbivorous insects, primarily nourishing themselves by extracting plant sap, sometimes posing a notable threat to plant health. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation into the aphid fauna associated with Carthamus in Iran, unveiling 18 species across 11 genera within the Aphididae. Furthermore, 31 associations between aphid species and host plants were recognized, of which two are new for Iran. Our study expands upon prior knowledge by documenting three new occurrences, shedding light on previously unrecorded aphid species in Isfahan and Razavi Khorasan provinces. In addition, we describe the previously unknown male of Uroleucon carthami, offering insights into its life cycle and reproductive strategies. An identification key to the apterous viviparous female aphids living on Carthamus in Iran is provided.

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Aims: The objective of this study was to compare growth parameters and phenol content of different safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) cultivars and one wild species of safflower (Carthamus oxyacantha) under urea fertilizer and vermicompost treatments, to distinguish can we use vermicompost instead of urea fertilizer.
Methods: The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions. A factorial randomized complete block design with seven replications was used. Experimental treatments were three vermicompost rate; three levels of nitrogen fertilizer; and three types of safflower.
Findings: The number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry biomass weights significantly increased with vermicompost application. Urea fertilizer only increased the plant height. The interaction between plant cultivars and vermicompost was significant for phenol content. All growth parameters of safflower except dry biomass weight were significantly different between cultivars. Conclusion: Wild safflower responded more than other cultivars to treatments so it can be used in plant breeding programs. Vermicompost treatment act better than urea fertilizer for growing of safflower, so it can be used instead of chemical fertilizer.
 

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The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an important pest of canola that can considerably limit crop production through direct or indirect damage. In this study, the effects of Azadirachtin, Tondexir, Palizin, and Thiamethoxam, common insecticides used in managing the cabbage aphid, were investigated on the population growth parameters of this pest. Based on the results, the LC₅₀ values for Thiamethoxam, Palizin, Azadirachtin, and Tondexir were 0.19, 0.63, 1.00, and 3.82 g/L, respectively. Moreover, LC₃₀ concentrations of Thiamethoxam, Palizin, Azadirachtin, and Tondexir were 0.11, 0.10, 0.41, and 1.68 g/L, respectively, applied in the sublethal studies. The cabbage aphids reared on the plants treated with these insecticides had lower longevity, fecundity, and reproductive period than the control treatment. The intrinsic rate of increase (r_m), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R₀), and generation time (T) were lower on Thiamethoxam treatment. Tondexir and Palizin treatments had lower values than Azadirachtin. However, there was no significant difference between the Tondexir and Palizin treatments. The population treated by Azadirachtin had the highest values of growth parameters. According to the results and available information in the context of risk assessment of the studied insecticides, this research recommends the application of Thiamethoxam in the integrated pest management of cabbage aphid.

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Dry bubble disease is one of the most important serious diseases of the cultivated white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach). It is a cosmopolitan disease having a worldwide distribution. Ten isolates of Lecanicillium fungicola var. fungicola (Preuss) Zare and Gams were collected from mushroom farms. Sensitivity of the isolates to benomyl, carbendazim, carbendazim+iprodione and prochloraz manganese were studied. All the isolates were resistant to benomyl(ED50= 415.45-748.12 mg L^-1), carbendazim (ED₅₀= 1123.87-1879.59 mg L^-1) and iprodione+carbendazim (ED₅₀= 415.45-748.12 mg L^-1). However, most of the isolates were sensitive to prochloraz manganese (ED₅₀=1.62–12.58 mg L^-1). As the primary source of the pathogen inoculum is casing soil and insects, stringent environmental hygiene of the mushroom houses will play a very important role in preventing and controlling the disease.