Scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) reared from Spodoptera exigua (Hübner, 1808) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Iran.

The present study on scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) revealed six species of Megaselia, which are all new for the insect fauna of Iran. All six Megaselia species are reared from larvae of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) feeding on cauliflower (Brassica cretica Lam.).

Morphology of the last instar larva and pupa of Synanthedon caucasica (Gorbunov, 1986) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), a serious pest of oriental plane and elm trees.

This work presents the first description of the morphology of the last larval instar and pupa of the clearwing moth species Synanthedon caucasica (Gorbunov, 1986). All diagnostic morphological characters are described in detail, compared with the closely related species Synanthedon loranthi (Králíček, 1966), and these diagnostic characters are illustrated with photographs and line drawings.

Mass Rearing Optimization of Cotesia vestalis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Based on the Host and Parasitoid Densities.

The present study aimed to explore some simple ways to optimize the mass rearing of Cotesia vestalis (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), one of the most important biocontrol agents of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). The effects of host and parasitoid initial densities on the quantity and quality of produced wasps were investigated.

Foraging behavior of (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on tobacco aphid, (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

The aim of this study was to investigate the foraging behavior of Aphidius matricariae (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as a biological control agent of Myzus persicae nicotianae Blackman (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a key and cosmopolitan pest of tobacco fields. To achieve a strategy for the control of this pest and a mass-rearing program of the parasitoid, host stage preference, switching, functional response, and mutual interference of A. matricariae were investigated at 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 5% RH and 16:8 h L:D photoperiod.

Parasitoid- and hyperparasitoid-mediated seasonal dynamics of the cabbage aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

The population dynamics of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), its parasitoid, Diaeretiella rapae McIntosh, and hyperparasitoids, Pachyneuron spp., were quantified under field conditions during 2011-2013, by examining synchronization, parasitoid: aphid ratio, possible effect of density on the finite rate of increase, and spatial coincidence.