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Abstract The aphid parasitoids, Aphidius colemnai Viereck and A. matricariae (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) have high potential as the most effective biological control agents for controlling the cotton aphis Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae). In this investigation, the effect of five constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C) on the reproductive parameters was studied at 65 ±5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16L: 8 D hours In this study, the newly laid (one- day old) eggs were reared on third instar nymphs of cotton aphid, and the pupal and adult stages of the parasitoids were recorded daily, until the last individual was found dead. The experiments were carried out with 15 replications at each temperature. The results revealed that the gross fecundity and fertility rates were significantly different at all tested temperatures for both species (P

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The aphidiine parasitoids (Hym., Braconidae) attacking the pest aphids on various pome and stone fruit trees in different parts of Iranwere studied. A total of 13 species belonging to seven genera of aphid parasitoids were identified in association with 17 aphid species on 10 different species of fruit trees. Sixty nine tritrophic associations were detected from the studied area of which 25 associations are newly recorded from Iran. An illustrated key is prepared for identification of the species. The parasitoids were categorized based on their potential impacts in biocontrol of pest aphids into the less important species and the key-stones. The first group of parasitoids includes the broadly oligophagous species, and even an occasional opportunistic species, Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall), while the second group includes the specific associations like Aphidius transcaspicus Telenga on Hyalopterus spp. and Pauesia antennata (Mukerji) on Pterochloroides persicae (Cholodkovsky). A probable occurrence of the univoltine aphid parasitoid, Pseudopauesia prunicola Halme in association with Ovatus insitus (Walker) is discussed.  

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A survey was conducted in fields of cucumber and watermelon in Bengaluru, India during April 2014 for dertermination of the common parasitoids (Hym.,Braconidae, Aphidiinae) attacking melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemi., Aphididae). Three species of Aphidiinae, including Aphidius platensis Brethes, 1913; Binodoxy sacalephae (Marshall, 1896) and Lipolexis oregmae(Gahan, 1931) were collected and identified, from which Aphidius platensis is newly recorded from India. The early evidence of Aphidius colemani in India can also be contributed to A. platensis. Diagnostic characters of three species with closely related species are briefly discussed.

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Life table parameters of Aphis pomi DeGeer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were determined on two host plants: apple (Malus pumila L.) and flowering quince (Chaenomeles japonica Lindl.). This study was carried out under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 ºC and RH of 70 ± 5 % and a photoperiod of 16: 8 h (L: D). The survivorship from first instar nymphs to adult was very close in M. pumila and C. japonica. The longevity of A. pomi was 8.1 ± 0.458 and 9.65 ± 0.412 days and the fecundity of female was 37.25 ± 2.198 and 32.9 ± 1.802 nymphs on M. pumila and C. japonica, respectively. Peaks of reproductive value occurred at ages of 8 and 9 days when reared on M. pumila and C. japonica, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) on M. pumila was higher than that on C. japonica, as it was 0.396 ± 0.015 on M. pumila and 0.329 ± 0.006 day^-1 on C. japonica. The mean generation time (T) was 9.13 ± 0.35 and 10.62 ± 0.18 days, on M. pumila and C. japonica, respectively. The results showed that the two closely related host plants had significant influence on life table parameters of A. pomi and the aphid showed a better performance on M. pumila than on C. japonica. These results indicated that M. pumila is more suitable for A. pomi, resulting in a higher reproductive performance.  

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Ants consume or store the honeydew which is secreted by aphids or other homopteran insects. Major benefit of ant attendance for aphids is protection against natural enemies. A study was carried out during 2009-2010, to determine the mutualistic association between ants and aphids on different host plants in some parts of Khuzestan and Esfahan provinces. A total of 20 ant species belonging to 12 genera and 3 subfamilies were collected and identified. Among them, four species are new to Iranian ant fauna as follows: Monomorium libanicum Tohme; Monomorium qarahe Collingwood & Agosti; Monomorium mayri Forel and Lasius paralienus Seifert. The collected myrmecophilous aphids were 33 species belonging to 3 families and 5 subfamilies. Details and mechanisms of such associations between ants and aphids are unknown to us. More detailed investigations are needed in each case to adequately understand them.

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Life table gives the most comprehensive explanation of the survivorship, development, and reproduction of a population. The life table parameters of an aphidophagous midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza were studied on different densities (5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80) of third instar nymphs of Aphis gossypii as prey in a growth chamber (25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16L: 8D h). The pre-ovipositional period of female A. aphidimyza was reduced as prey density increased with no significant difference. The oviposition period was 3.833 ± 0.401 and 5.5 ± 0.463 days in lowest and highest prey density, respectively. Fecundity increased significantly with increasing prey density. The lowest fecundity was obtained at density of 5 preys/day (49.667 ± 6.053 eggs) and the highest was at density of 80 preys/day (104.25 ± 7.78 eggs). Intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) ranged from 0.110 ± 0.016 to 0.166 ± 0.014 d^-1 with increasing prey density. Net reproductive rate (R₀) was positively dependent on prey density. The peak reproductive values showed that female aphidophagous midge at ages of 17, 18, 19, 22 and 25 days made the highest contribution to the population when reared on 5 to 80 preys in a day, respectively. However, mean generation time (T) ranged from 22.42 ± 0.55 to 24.47 ± 1.04 days. It was concluded that the increase in the density of third instar nymphs of A. gossypii significantly affected the demographic parameters of A. aphidimyza and it had a better reproductive performance in higher prey densities.

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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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Rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini), with worldwide distribution is an important pest of apple orchards. Host plant resistance is an essential component of integrated management of this insect pest. We investigated the resistance of seven apple cultivars, Malus domestica (Borkhausen), namely Granny Smith, Starkrimson, Golden Smoothee, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Boshghabi, and Shaki to rosy apple aphid under field and greenhouse conditions. The damage level by rosy apple aphid was significantly different among the tested cultivars precisely three weeks after infestation in both field and greenhouse conditions. The least leaf curling was observed on Shaki, while the most deformation was detected on Golden Delicious. There was positive correlation between damage in greenhouse and field studies. In addition, the lowest and highest numbers of aphids were observed on Shaki and Golden Delicious, respectively. Consequently, our results demonstrated that among the cultivars tested the Shaki cultivar is moderately resistant to rosy apple aphid and has the potential to be used in the integrated management of this aphid.  

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Searching efficiency and handling time are two major components of functional response and are usually used to evaluate effectiveness of natural enemies. The effect of different foraging periods on the functional response of larval Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Dip.: Cecidomyiidae) feeding on third instar nymphs of Aphis craccivora was studied. The experiment was conducted in terms of time-specific (1, 2, 4, 6,12, 24 h.) functional response to varying densities (5, 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80) of third instar nymphs of A.craccivora at 23 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 5% of R.H., and a photoperiod of 16:8 h (L: D). Parameter estimates for logistic regressions showed a type II functional response for 4 day-old larvae of the predator at different foraging periods to varying densities of A. craccivora. The estimated searching efficiency (a') and handling times (T_h), varied with foraging periods. The searching efficiency showed a decreasing trend as the foraging periods increased. The estimated maximum rates of predation (T/T_h) for the 4-day old larvae were directly related to the foraging periods increase but handling times (T_h), showed a decelerating trend. In conclusion it was found that searching efficiency was a variable parameter in different foraging periods of A. aphidimyza and was lowest at the foraging periods of 24 h. It was also suggested that A. aphidimyza with type II functional response in all foraging periods, could be considered as a highly effective biological agent in suppressing A. craccivora population.    

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The present study aimed to determine aphid species in South Eastern regions of Turkey. The material of this study was collected during April to October 2016.  As a result of the evaluation of the samples, 110 species and 1 subspecies recorded from study area, of them 9 species and 1 subspecies are determined as new records for Turkey aphid fauna: Aphis (Aphis) cirsiphila Pashtshenko, 1992; Aphis (Aphis) sanguisorbae Schrank, 1801, Aphis (Aphis) wartenbergi (Börner, 1952), Cinara (Cinara) intermedia (Pašek, 1953), Eulachnus cembrae Börner, 1950, Lipaphis (Lipaphis) pseudobrassicae (Davis, 1914), Pseudoregma panicola (Takahashi, 1921), Schizaphis (Euschizaphis) palustris Theobald, 1929, Sitobion (Sitobion) lambersi David, 1956 and Uroleucon (Uromelan) jaceaema crosiphon (Hille Ris Lambers, 1939). With these new records, the number of species and subspecies of aphids in Turkey increased to 541 and 13, respectively.

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In recent years, the Russian Wheat Aphid, has been included worldwidely in the list of the important pests of cereals, particularly wheat plants. In addition to direct serious damage, the aphid is the main vector of Barley Yellow Dwarf, Barley Mosaic, and Sugarcane Mosaic Viruses. The pest was reported from East Azarbaidjan province (Iran) a few years ago and it is now widespread in Tabriz, Ahar and Kaleybar wheat fields. In the present study, the possibility of any resistance was looked for at the tillering stage in Sardari, Sabalan, Alvand, Zarrin and Alamoot, the most extensively planted varieties in the province. The experiment was conducted under glasshouse conditions of 24.4±1.6 oC with 50- 60% R.H. and a photoperiod of 14:l0(L:D). Antibiosis was determined by studying the percentage survival of the nymphs, their developmental time, and fecundity (total number of progeny per /female produced within the first 10 and 15 days of the reproductive cycle) calculating the relevant intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm values). The analysis of variance indicated that, regarding the last two parameters, there were significant differences (P<0.05) between the varieties. The highest (43.21±5.45) and the lowest (34.43±8.91) average numbers of progeny within the first 10 days were observed in those reared on the Sardari and Zarrin varieties respectively but the figures obtained within the first 15 days were found to be 49,43±13.31 on Alamoot and 58.86±9.45 on Sardari. Also the highest mean “rm” value (0.3399±0.01) was estimated for rearings on Sardari with the smallest (0.2889±0.03) on the latter. At present, Sardari seems to be more likley susceptible to the aphid amongst the others. Field trials and experiments on later phenological stages of the wheats and potential role of other resistance mechanisms is going on.

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The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) is one of the most important pests of pea throughout the world.Host stage preference under choice and no-choice tests and age-specific functional response of Praon volucre (Haliday) parasitizing A. pisum were investigated. The experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 14: 10 h (L: D). Functional response of P. volucre was evaluated in adult lifetime at seven host densities (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128). Praon volucre strongly preferred to oviposit into first and second instar nymphs in both choice and no-choice conditions. Parameter estimation of logistic regression revealed type III functional response for P. volucre in first and second days and type II from third to the end of parasitoid lifetime. The handling time (T_h) and searching efficiency (a or b) were estimated using the Rogers equation. The shortest and longest handling times were at fourth day (T_h = 0.19 ± 0.04) and 8^th day (T_h = 0.94 ± 0.15), respectively. The highest searching efficiency (a) was 0.048 ± 0.007 h^-1 on third day and lowest searching efficiency was observed at the end of parasitoid lifetime (6^th day-8^th days). The maximum attack rate ranged from 126.31 nymphs/24 h on fourth day to 25.53 nymphs/24 h on 8^th day. The results of this study revealed that the age of adult parasitoid can change the functional response from type III to type II, indicating that this factor may contribute to stabilization of parasitoid–prey dynamics.

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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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The sub-lethal effect of Metarhizium anisopliae and imidacloprid as well as combination of the two control agents was examined on life table parameters of Myzus persicae on different cultivars of canola under laboratory condition at 25 ± 1 ºC, 85% RH and photoperiod of 16L: 8D. The offspring resulting from fungus-infested adults were placed onto leaf discs in Petri dishes separately to record their development time till they reached to adulthood. The number of nymphs produced by each adult aphid was recorded daily. The intrinsic rate of increase(r_m) had no significant differences among the three cultivars, and was nearly similar to the net reproductive rate (R₀). The concurrent application of M. anisopliae and imidacloprid significantly shortened the aphid longevity on the RGS003 cv compared to the other cultivars. The type of cultivars had no impact on the finite rate of increase (λ) of green peach aphid in any of the treatments. The values of T showed that there was no significant difference among the treatments. Despite having no significant effect on life table characteristics of M. persicae by most of the treatments, the method would be a favorable procedure to control the aphid by raising the fungal concentration. Conducting such research would be worthwhile since there are no antagonistic interactions between the entomopathogenic fungus and the insecticide.

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A survey was conducted to study the fauna of the subfamily Aphidiinae (Hym., Braconidae) in Hormozgan province (Southern Iran). Specimens were collected using Malaise traps and sweep nets from various habitats during 2013–2016. A total of fiftheen species belonging to seven genera, Aphidius Nees, 1819 (7 species); Diaeretiella Starý, 1960 (1); Ephedrus Haliday, 1833 (2); Binodoxys Mackauer 1960 (1); Lysiphlebus Förster, 1862 (1); Praon Haliday, 1833 (2) and Trioxys Haliday, 1833 (1) were identified. All species are newly recorded from Hormozgan province (and its island). A key to the known species in Hormozgan province is provided.

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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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Fumigant toxicity of camphor was studied against the aphid Aphis craccivora Koch and three associated natural enemies, i.e. Coccinella undecimpunctata L., Aphelinus albipodus Hayat & Fatima and Aphidius colemani Viereck. Aphis craccivora was the most tolerant one compared with all tested natural enemies as the recorded LC₅₀ values were 12.71, 6.33, 1.16 and 0.48 mg camphor/liter space for the above mentioned insects, respectively. Subjecting newly emerged adults of A. craccivora to LC₂₅ of camphor vapor significantly reduced female longevity from 17.6 to 6.45 days and reduced the female daily progeny from 4.44 to 1.93 nymph / female, which resulted in a reduction in productivity as finite rate of increase decreased from 1.57 to 1.14 female / female / day. Aphids that survived after subjection to LC₅₀ were found to have significantly higher amount of acid phosphatase and G. S-transferase than non-treated aphids. Inversely, Survived aphids were found to have significantly less amount of β-esterases and alkaline phosphatase than non-treated aphids; while no significant difference was found in case of α-esterases. Camphor fumigant can be a candidate as a control agent against A. craccivora but with restriction because of its drawbacks on natural enemies.  

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Insect stress effects have been the subject of many reviews including heat, cold, and population stress. Production of winged aphids in unfavorable conditions or migrant phase of locust and armyworms, are reactions to crowding. Various crowding levels stress and treatment with low to high sub-lethal doses of insecticides at first had no effect but reduced Dysdercus fasciatus Sign. reproduction at higher levels. Stressors such as, crowding, toxins of sub-lethal doses of pesticides, host plant chemicals and environmental pollutants may produce comparable effects on insects.Stress may cause dispersion, migration, and insect pest outbreak.Locusts, aphids, armyworms and D. fasciatus react via plasticity to stressors including crowding stress by production of polymorphic phase. Neurohormones generally regulate the hormonal production of corpora alata, corpora cardiac and affect insect metabolism. This review relates the stress of crowding and insect phase to insect–plant relationships and the route to pest outbreak.  

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The paper presents a comprehensive compilation of 543 species and 24 subspecies of aphids, within 144 genera, belonging to 15 subfamilies, 3 families and three superfamilies of Aphidomorpha recorded to date from Iran. Among them, 35 species of aphids are endemic to Iran.

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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.