attempts in reducing the amount of pesticides in the protected crops in Iran led to
limited application of these biological agents, which are essentially not produced in
Iran. Few attempts have been done for evaluation of the efficiency of endemic
species that needs to be organized within a more robust organization for subsequent
steps until commercial production of efficient aphid parasitoids.
In this chapter, the background information on the aphid parasitoids in Iran,
including basic and applied aspects are provided. Taxonomic studies both on
primary and secondary aphid parasitoids in Iran have been reviewed that provided
a rich database of trophic associations. Such an approach is necessary for the
subsequent biological studies, which provide the framework for selection of potential candidates in various biological control programs. Similarly, the significance of
conservation programs on the basis of adequate knowledge about habitat manipulation is discussed. Many aphids in this respect are economically unimportant, but may
have a critical role, when positioned inside the host range of the parasitoid species,
those parasitized the economically important aphids in the course of growing season.
Finally, the preliminary attempts on the potential mass rearing of efficient parasitoids
are reviewed and compared.
9.2 Recent Advances in Taxonomy of Aphid Parasitoids
9.2.1 Knowledge About Taxonomy of Aphid Parasitoids in
Iran
Research on the Aphidiines has been fortunate due to several reasons in Iran.
Whereas Iran has prevailingly been focused as an area of “developing world”
yielding promising biocontrol agents within a framework of biocontrol programmes
in the abroad (namely for USA aphids on alfalfa, walnut aphids), later fundamental
studies have been authorized by sound research fellows in Europe, with more or less
participation of the Iranian specialists, and this phenomenon has increased in the
subsequent years. The co-work has been realized between specialists on the hoststhe aphids, together with the parasitologists. Both the local and foreign workers
closely participated in the research. Additionally, many foreign specialists have had
personal experience in the research on the targets. The basal approach of field studies
has been initiated from the sampling of tritrophic associations (plant-aphid-parasitoid) in various ecosystems and agroecosystems. Such an approach has allowed later
elaboration of databases which have been useful in faunal studies, determinations of
the associations including those on the pest species and ecosystem relation. At last,
increase of knowledge of molecular methods not only in the world but also in the
local research institutions has allowed up-dated use resulting in DNA studies and
their application in the taxonomy, population studies compatible with the world
levels and interactions.
9 Aphid Parasitoids: Aphidiinae (Hym., Braconidae)
335
limited application of these biological agents, which are essentially not produced in
Iran. Few attempts have been done for evaluation of the efficiency of endemic
species that needs to be organized within a more robust organization for subsequent
steps until commercial production of efficient aphid parasitoids.
In this chapter, the background information on the aphid parasitoids in Iran,
including basic and applied aspects are provided. Taxonomic studies both on
primary and secondary aphid parasitoids in Iran have been reviewed that provided
a rich database of trophic associations. Such an approach is necessary for the
subsequent biological studies, which provide the framework for selection of potential candidates in various biological control programs. Similarly, the significance of
conservation programs on the basis of adequate knowledge about habitat manipulation is discussed. Many aphids in this respect are economically unimportant, but may
have a critical role, when positioned inside the host range of the parasitoid species,
those parasitized the economically important aphids in the course of growing season.
Finally, the preliminary attempts on the potential mass rearing of efficient parasitoids
are reviewed and compared.
9.2 Recent Advances in Taxonomy of Aphid Parasitoids
9.2.1 Knowledge About Taxonomy of Aphid Parasitoids in
Iran
Research on the Aphidiines has been fortunate due to several reasons in Iran.
Whereas Iran has prevailingly been focused as an area of “developing world”
yielding promising biocontrol agents within a framework of biocontrol programmes
in the abroad (namely for USA aphids on alfalfa, walnut aphids), later fundamental
studies have been authorized by sound research fellows in Europe, with more or less
participation of the Iranian specialists, and this phenomenon has increased in the
subsequent years. The co-work has been realized between specialists on the hoststhe aphids, together with the parasitologists. Both the local and foreign workers
closely participated in the research. Additionally, many foreign specialists have had
personal experience in the research on the targets. The basal approach of field studies
has been initiated from the sampling of tritrophic associations (plant-aphid-parasitoid) in various ecosystems and agroecosystems. Such an approach has allowed later
elaboration of databases which have been useful in faunal studies, determinations of
the associations including those on the pest species and ecosystem relation. At last,
increase of knowledge of molecular methods not only in the world but also in the
local research institutions has allowed up-dated use resulting in DNA studies and
their application in the taxonomy, population studies compatible with the world
levels and interactions.
9 Aphid Parasitoids: Aphidiinae (Hym., Braconidae)
335