1.3 Foundation of Karaj College of Agriculture
After the University of Tehran, Shiraz University (1959) and then Tabriz University
(1966), Chamran University of Ahvaz (1978), Isfahan University of Technology
(1979), Urmia University (1987) and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (1990)
started offering BSc degree programs in plant protection (Fig. 1.6). Nowadays, in
addition to many of those national Universities, the Islamic Azad University Campuses, as well as some of the private schools, are also offering the same course of
study (Bagheri-Zenouz 2003).
1.4 The History of Biological Pest Control in Iran
The historical records of Iranians in the biological control dates back to the controlling of locusts using starlings. They benefit from stork and hoopoe in controlling of
noxious animals and termites. Also they would place a container filled with water
called “Aabsaar” for the starlings to wash their beaks while hunting the locusts that
would damage grasses. In 1933, importing the novius beetle, Rodolia cardinalis, as a
predator of the cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi triggered the biological
control in Iran. It proved to be one of the most successful biological control programs
of the country and it is still effective in Northern gardens and the recent years in the
Fig. 1.6 The first Universities offering plant protection in Iran. From the down right side are as
follows: University of Tehran, Shiraz University, University of Tabriz. The top side from right:
Chamran University of Ahwaz, Isfahan University of Technology, Urmia University and Ferdowsi
University of Mashhad
1 Overview: History of Agricultural Entomology and Biological Pest Control in Iran
5
After the University of Tehran, Shiraz University (1959) and then Tabriz University
(1966), Chamran University of Ahvaz (1978), Isfahan University of Technology
(1979), Urmia University (1987) and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (1990)
started offering BSc degree programs in plant protection (Fig. 1.6). Nowadays, in
addition to many of those national Universities, the Islamic Azad University Campuses, as well as some of the private schools, are also offering the same course of
study (Bagheri-Zenouz 2003).
1.4 The History of Biological Pest Control in Iran
The historical records of Iranians in the biological control dates back to the controlling of locusts using starlings. They benefit from stork and hoopoe in controlling of
noxious animals and termites. Also they would place a container filled with water
called “Aabsaar” for the starlings to wash their beaks while hunting the locusts that
would damage grasses. In 1933, importing the novius beetle, Rodolia cardinalis, as a
predator of the cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi triggered the biological
control in Iran. It proved to be one of the most successful biological control programs
of the country and it is still effective in Northern gardens and the recent years in the
Fig. 1.6 The first Universities offering plant protection in Iran. From the down right side are as
follows: University of Tehran, Shiraz University, University of Tabriz. The top side from right:
Chamran University of Ahwaz, Isfahan University of Technology, Urmia University and Ferdowsi
University of Mashhad
1 Overview: History of Agricultural Entomology and Biological Pest Control in Iran
5