DefinePK

Abstract

Parasitoid-aphid-plant associations were examined in searching for potentially promissive biocontrol agents as well as faunal composition in approximately 400 samples collected in Khuzestan during 1976-1978 and in 2008. Altogether, 14 parasitoids species were recorded, among which 2 and 5 species were new records for Iran and Khuzestan fauna, respectively. Low parasitoid species richness was observed in the area studied. Aphid host species were found to be associated with the parasitoids in all environments studied. Some plants and habitats represent refugia in which parasitoid-aphid associations may survive unfavourable periods including those where poorly selective pesticides have been applied. Patterns of individual aphid and parasitoid species and combinations of aphid-parasitoid species identified, were similar for the two sampling periods 1976-8 and 2008.