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Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as an ectoparasitoid of larval stage of lepidopterous pests is widely used in biological control programs. In the present research, the effect of field recommended doses of imidacloprid, indoxacarb and deltamethrin were studied on life table parameters of H. hebetor in pupal stage treatment. One hundred, two-day-old pupae were treated with 1 micro liter insecticide solution using topical method. The pupae were treated with acetone in the control. Thirty emerged adults in each treatment were transferred individually to a Petri dish along with a male for mating. Three last instar larvae of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were presented to each female wasp daily as host. The numbers of eggs produced per female per day were counted until all of the females were dead. The gross and net reproductive rates in control, imidacloprid, indoxacarb and deltamethrin were 204.6, 207.7, 209.1 and 112.1 and also 75, 41.3, 64.6 and 14.9, respectively. Intrinsic rates of increase were estimated to be 0.215, 0.154, 0.205 and 0.14 female offspring/female/day, respectively. Deltamethrin and imidacloprid had the most adverse effects on life table parameters of H. hebetor. Intrinsic rate of increase was not significantly affected by indoxacarb. These findings indicated that indoxacarb was relatively safe for H. hebetor and could be an appropriate candidate in integrated chemical and biological control.

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The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an important pest of potato and other solanaceous plants. It is cosmopolite and oligophage that exists in most countries where potatoes are grown. Because of chemical treatment adverse effects, there is a necessity to find safe alternatives to synthetic insecticides. So, medicinal plants are promising since they are safe, inexpensive and effective. In this direction, potato tubers were dipped in 1 ml of 5% methanolic extracts of fumitory, licorice, lavender and oregano. The percentage of first larval penetration to tubers and oviposition-preference of mentioned medicinal plants was investigated on PTM. Subsequently, fumigant toxicity of essential oils of basil, european pennyroyal, lavender, mint and savory were investigated on P. operculella. Treated potato tubers by methanolic extract of lavender elicited the lowest percentage (19.3) of first larval penetration. Studying of oviposition-preference demonstrated that the largest number of eggs were laid on control and fumitory with 28 and 10 eggs after three days, respectively. Probit analysis of essential oils showed that the most effective oil was savory which exhibited LC₅₀ value on adults of PTM equivalent to 0.048 µL/L air.  

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The Bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) is a serious threat to several cereal crops. Host-plant resistance to this aphid could be especially valuable in cereal crops pest management. Therefore, we evaluated the development, survivorship, reproduction and population growth parameters of R. padi as resistance indices among six wheat cultivars, including Gaskojen, Tajan, Falat, Saysonz, Kras and Sardari at 25 °C under laboratory conditions. The development time and fecundity of aphid differed significantly among the tested wheat cultivars. The r_m values were highest for aphids reared on Sardari and lowest on Gaskojen and intermediate on Tajan, Saysonz and Kras cultivars. Aphid showed the longest development time and the lowest fecundity, reflecting in the lowest r_m value on Gaskojen cultivar. Consequently, Gaskojen showed more positive characteristics and was relatively not susceptible cultivar that could be considered for planning a comprehensive IPM program of R. padi.

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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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Biological and demographic parameters of the mealybug ladybird, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mulsant) were evaluated on citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso) and obscure mealybug, Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) under 24 ± 2 ºC, 80 ± 5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h. The mealybugs had a significant effect on developmental time and reproductive and demographic parameters of the ladybird. Life span (egg to adult death) was obtained 220.85 ± 5.78 and 119.44 ± 2.1 days when fed on Pl. citri and Ps. viburni, respectively. However, mean number of eggs per female (fecundity) and mean percent of egg hatching were significantly higher on Ps. viburni than on Pl. citri. In addition, values of intrinsic rate of increase (r_m), finite rate of increase (λ) andnet reproductive rate (R₀) were significantly higher on Ps. viburni than on Pl. citri.The values of intrinsic rate of increase were estimated 0.081and 0.094 day^-1 on Pl. citri and Ps. viburni, respectively. Results of this study suggested that the obscure mealybug is a more suitable prey than the citrus mealybug as the ladybird displayed shorter developmental time, and higher fecundity and growth rate when fed with obscure mealybug.  

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Lady beetles are the most important predatory species among arthropods, so studying their population parameters gives a clear picture about their life span. The life histories of variegated lady beetle, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), fed on the English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae Fabricius, on different host plants were studied under laboratory conditions, at 25 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5% Relative Humidity and a photoperiod of 16:8 (Light: Dark) h. Developmental, survival and fecundity data were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table method. According to the age-stage, two-sex life table, the net reproductive rates (R₀) of ladybird fed on S. avenae reared on Triticum aestivum var. tajan, Hordeum vulgare var. Dasht, Zea mays var. single cross 704 and Sorghum durra var. Speed feed were estimated to be 235.38 ± 36.15, 190.74 ± 33.37, 293.54 ± 46.66 and 137.46 ± 23.66 female offspring / female, respectively. Based on the results, the intrinsic rate of increase as an index of population increase of H. variegata, was 0.181 ± 0.006, 0.179 ± 0.006, 0.163 ± 0.006 and 0.162 ± 0.006 h^-1 preyed on host reared on T. aestivum var. tajan Z. mays var. single cross 704 S. durra var. Speed feed and H. vulgare var. Dasht, respectively. Our findings demonstrate that by using the age-stage, two-sex life table we can accurately describe the growth, survival and development of the predator. Our finding may provide basic information for developing aphid biological control programs.  

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The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) is one of the important pests of solanaceous plants, especially potato Solanum tuberosum L., in many temperate areas of the world including Iran. In this study, essential oils were extracted from Artemisia absinthium L., Achillea millefolium L. and Artemisia dracunculus L. using Clevenger apparatus. One-day-old eggs were treated by sublethal concentrations (LC₃₀) of essential oils, and their effects were studied on reproductive parameters and population growth parameters. Probit analysis of ovicidal effects showed that LC₅₀ values for A. absinthium, A. millefolium and A. dracunculuswere 2.60, 2.36 and 1.08 µl/l air, respectively. The percentage of larval penetration into potato tubers was lower than untreated control. The values of intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) in control and treatments of A. absinthium, A. millefolium and A. dracunculus were 0.107, 0.079, 0.081 and 0.087 day^-1, respectively. The results of this study showed that tested essential oils have a good potential to protect stored potatoes from P. operculella infestation.
 
 

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In this study, the effect of three temperatures was investigated on the functional response of Orius laevigatus to Aphis gossypii in climatic chambers at 20, 25, and 30 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH, and 16:8 h photoperiod. Different densities of first and second instar nymphs of A. gossypii (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64) on cucumber leaf discs (6 cm in diameter) were separately offered to male and female predators. After 24 h, the number of consumed preys was recorded. Ten replicates per each aphid density were used. Based on the results, predator male and female exhibited types II, III, II and III, II, III functional responses at 20, 25 and 30 °C, respectively. Handling times (T_h) for males were 0.7798, 0.9177 and 0.4476 h and for females were 0.6874, 0.3921 and 0.2831 h at 20, 25 and 30 °C, respectively. Using the indicator variable method, pairwise comparisons of handling times of both males and females were significantly different. The theoretical maximum predation rate (T/T_h) of both males and females were obtained at 30 °C. The results revealed that O. laevigatus is more likely to be an effective biocontrol agent of A. gossypii at higher temperatures around 30 °C. However, additional studies under natural conditions are needed to provide further details of the predator-prey interactions.

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To aim health risk assessment and determination of consumption rate limit of King soldier bream (Argyrops spinifer), Pickhandle Barracuda (Sphyraena jello), and Japanese threadfin bream (Nemipteru japonicus), 33 fish specimen was harvest from Jofre fishing area. After transport fish to the laboratory, was prepared and concentration of heavy metal iron, manganese, and cobalt was measured by Inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry, (ICP-OES). The Concentration of heavy metal in the muscle of fish compared with international standards.  For health risk assessment Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) and Total Target Hazard Quotients (TTHQ), for determination of consumption rate limit estimated daily intake (EDI) and estimated weekly intake (EWI), Consumption Rate Limit (CRlim) and Consumption Rate Limit meal month (CRmm) in two groups include adults and children were calculated.  The Results showed that manganese content in all three fish species (36.59 to 55.48 µgr/gr) more than the world health organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Also Cobalt content in Argyrops spinifer and Sphyraena jello (66.62 and 0.38 µgr/gr) more than WHO. According to THQ, TTHQ, EDI, and EWI, the Consumption of none of the three fish species had not health risk for the consumer. Additional to the highest CRlim in adults and children determinate as in Argyrops spinifer and Sphyraena jello was manganese, respectively (10.12 and 2.17 µgr/gr), (29.36 and 6.29 µgr/gr) and in Nemipteru japonicus (184.25 and 39.48 µgr/gr) Cobalt determinate.
 

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 The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), is one of the important polyphagous pests causing serious loss to many economically important crops in Iran. The goal of this experiment was to study the age-stage, two-sex life table of H. armigera on different bean cultivars including white kidney bean (cultivars Daneshkadeh, Pak, and Shokufa), red kidney bean (cultivars Akhtar, Naz, and Sayyad) and common bean (cultivar Talash) under laboratory conditions (25±1^ºC, 65±5% RH, a 16:8 h light-dark photoperiod). The longest and shortest larval period and development time of total pre-adult H. armigera were 19.83±3.83 and 37.58±0.90 days on red kidney bean Akhtar, respectively, and 14.13±0.32 and 31.82±0.42 days on white kidney bean Pak, respectively. The lowest intrinsic rate of increase (r) was on red kidney bean Akhtar (0.115±0.009 day^-1) and the highest on white kidney bean Pak and common bean Talash (0.142±0.001 day^-1). The lowest and highest values of the net reproductive rate (R₀) were on red kidney bean Akhtar (177.3±6.7 offspring) and white kidney bean Shokufa (270.1±6.7 offspring), respectively. The mean generation time (T) on different bean cultivars ranged from 37.03±0.05 to 44.64±0.07 days, which was shortest on white kidney bean Pak and longest on red kidney bean Akhtar. The results revealed that the cultivar Akhtar was the most unsuitable host for population growth of H. armigera.

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Samples of grass pea seed (Lathyrus sativus) were prepared and analyzed for some chemical composition and as well for their anti-nutritional factors. The rumen degradability coefficients and post ruminal digestibility of dry matter and crude protein of unheated vs. oven heated samples were determined, employing in situ and in vitro techniques. Results indicated that grass pea seed contained a considerable level of crude protein (36%). The process of heating reduced (P< 0.05) tannins and Oxalyl DiAminoPropanoic acid (ODAP) content in grass pea seeds. Heat processing, especially 3 hours of heating, increased (P< 0.05) the slowly degradable fractions of the seed. Ruminal disappearance of DM and CP occurred at a lower rate (P< 0.05) for the heated grass pea seed than for the unheated seed. Heat processing did not affect the production of some such nutritional parameters (estimated through gas production method) as DOM, ME, NE_L, SCFA and MP production (P> 0.05). It was concluded that grass pea seed was of a substantial potential as a protein source in ruminant nutrition with its heat processing resulting in positive effects on its DM and CP digestibility.

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This study was conducted with two consequential experiments to investigate the effect of magnetized water on in-vitro limestone solubility and eggshell breaking strength in laying hens. The first experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of magnetized water and particle size on in-vitro limestone solubility. Three particle sizes including small particles, less than 0.125 mm; large particles, 2-4 mm and normal mix, 0.045-4.00 mm were tested. Magnetized water was generated by magnetizer of 0.65 Tesla magnetic fields. Scanning Electron Microscopy images (SEMi) were used to study the morphology of limestone crystals after dissolution in magnetized and tap water. Limestone solubility was measured by 0.2N HCl solution. The second in- vivo experiment was conducted to study the effect of magnetized water and dietary calcium on breaking strength of eggshell. Three dietary levels of calcium and phosphorus (normal, 10 and 20% reduced Ca and available P.) and two types of water (tap water and magnetized water) were used in Hy-line laying hens at 32 weeks of age. Breaking strength of the normal (safe and sound) eggs was measured with an Instron testing machine. The solubility of large limestone particles was less than those of small particles. Magnetically treated water did not change in-vitro limestone solubility but changed the morphology of limestone crystals. Precipitated limestone crystals in magnetized water tended to be larger and more uniform in size than those in tap water. Reducing dietary levels of Ca and P had no significant effect on egg breaking strength at 36 weeks of age. Magnetized water was able to numerically increase strength of the eggs. Therefore, based on the SEMi and the observed changes in crystalline structure of dissolved (exposed to water) precipitated limestone and observed changes in breaking strength of the eggs, it is hypothesized that magnetized water may have the potential to change the limestone availability and consequently egg strength in laying hens.