Diversity and host associations of aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) in the farmlands of western Iran
Nazari Yaser, Zamani Abbas Ali, Masoumi Seyyed Mohammad, Rakhshani Elisan, Petrović-Obradović Olivera, Tomanović Snežana, Starý Petr, Tomanovič Željko
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 52(2): 559-584, 2012
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Abstract: This study presents the results of a survey of aphid parasitoids of the
subfamily Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in western Iran. Thirty nine
species of aphid parasitoids belonging to nine genera were collected and
identified in association with 54 aphid species occurring on 77 host plants.
In all, 129 parasitoid-aphid associations were recorded, 49 of which are new
to Iran. Praon pubescens Starý, 1961 is newly recorded for the fauna of Iran
in association with Nasonovia ribisnigri (Mosley, 1841) on Lactuca sativa. The
possible existence of endemic subspecies for Praon necans Mackauer, 1959, member
of which attack a wider range of host aphids, is discussed. An illustrated key
for identification of the genera and species of Aphidiinae in western Iran is
presented.
Key words: Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae, Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Aphidoidea, parasitoid, tritrophic association, biological control, host plant, Iran