the dominant species with 34.1% of species composition. All species predating on
aphids, Coccids and the dominant species also feed on elm leaf beetle eggs and
larvae (Xanthogaleruca luteola (Müller 1766)) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) (Abdi
et al. 2013). Mohammadi et al. (2013) reported the Vibidia duodecimguttata as a
new record for Iranian fauna. They collected this species from East Azerbaijan
province (46
34
0 27
00 N, 38
47
0 0
00 E) and 47
21
0 58
00 N, 38
51
0 2
00 E). This is a
fungivorous species that feeds on powdery mildew fungi.
The Pharoscymnus brunneosignatus Marder and Scymnus schmidt Fürsch were
reported for the Iran’s fauna for the first time (Ebrahimi et al. 2014) in a collection
program took from 2011 through 2012 on Mashhad (Northeast of Iran). This species
is a coccidophagous one and was reported from France, Brazil, China, India,
Pakistan, Yemen, Nepal before. In another study, Nephus ulbrichi Fursch was
recorded on Planococcus vovae (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on cypress trees for
the first time in Iran (Jalilvand et al. 2012).
Sadat Alizadeh et al. (2013) reported the most important natural enemies of pink
hibiscus mealybug (PHM), M.hirsutus and recorded five species which among them,
the Hyperaspis vinciquerrae Capra was a new record for Iran. They reported that
among described lady beetle species as expected, N. arcuatus had a high density
during a relatively long period and thus, it could be the main predator of PHM in
Ahvaz. Referring to the thermophilous nature of this species, this result was entirely
predictable.
Most studies about the Iranian ladybird fauna are limited to recording new species
or dealing with the lady beetle fauna of a specific region or province. Although
recently, subfamily of Iranian Scymnine was reviewed as a checklist (Jafari et al.
2013).
In a checklist of scymninae of Iran, Jalilvand et al. (2014) surveyed natural
enemies of mealybugs in Kermanshah province. Besides, Biranvand et al. (2016)
published a checklist of subfamily Microweiseinae of Iran. They recorded 11 species
or this subfamily and presented host plant and prey data for those species.
2.3 Life History and Demography
Reviewing the papers and other records published in Iran, shows that perhaps the
most studied aspect of lady beetles is their life history and biology which have been
studied extensively. Most of the studies have been done under laboratory conditions
on one or several prey types. In most of these studies, main life table parameters like
intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproductive rate (R 0 ), mean generation time (T ),
finite rate of increase (λ) and gross reproductive rate (GRR) have been estimated.
However, earlier studies only included simple descriptive data about reproduction or
mean duration of different life stages. Recently, some researchers used life table data
to show the effect of different factors on the survival and fecundity of lady beetles
more efficiently. Development of age-stage, two-sex life table theory which
includes the role of both males and females in population increase and consumption,
44
H. Madadi
aphids, Coccids and the dominant species also feed on elm leaf beetle eggs and
larvae (Xanthogaleruca luteola (Müller 1766)) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) (Abdi
et al. 2013). Mohammadi et al. (2013) reported the Vibidia duodecimguttata as a
new record for Iranian fauna. They collected this species from East Azerbaijan
province (46
34
0 27
00 N, 38
47
0 0
00 E) and 47
21
0 58
00 N, 38
51
0 2
00 E). This is a
fungivorous species that feeds on powdery mildew fungi.
The Pharoscymnus brunneosignatus Marder and Scymnus schmidt Fürsch were
reported for the Iran’s fauna for the first time (Ebrahimi et al. 2014) in a collection
program took from 2011 through 2012 on Mashhad (Northeast of Iran). This species
is a coccidophagous one and was reported from France, Brazil, China, India,
Pakistan, Yemen, Nepal before. In another study, Nephus ulbrichi Fursch was
recorded on Planococcus vovae (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on cypress trees for
the first time in Iran (Jalilvand et al. 2012).
Sadat Alizadeh et al. (2013) reported the most important natural enemies of pink
hibiscus mealybug (PHM), M.hirsutus and recorded five species which among them,
the Hyperaspis vinciquerrae Capra was a new record for Iran. They reported that
among described lady beetle species as expected, N. arcuatus had a high density
during a relatively long period and thus, it could be the main predator of PHM in
Ahvaz. Referring to the thermophilous nature of this species, this result was entirely
predictable.
Most studies about the Iranian ladybird fauna are limited to recording new species
or dealing with the lady beetle fauna of a specific region or province. Although
recently, subfamily of Iranian Scymnine was reviewed as a checklist (Jafari et al.
2013).
In a checklist of scymninae of Iran, Jalilvand et al. (2014) surveyed natural
enemies of mealybugs in Kermanshah province. Besides, Biranvand et al. (2016)
published a checklist of subfamily Microweiseinae of Iran. They recorded 11 species
or this subfamily and presented host plant and prey data for those species.
2.3 Life History and Demography
Reviewing the papers and other records published in Iran, shows that perhaps the
most studied aspect of lady beetles is their life history and biology which have been
studied extensively. Most of the studies have been done under laboratory conditions
on one or several prey types. In most of these studies, main life table parameters like
intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproductive rate (R 0 ), mean generation time (T ),
finite rate of increase (λ) and gross reproductive rate (GRR) have been estimated.
However, earlier studies only included simple descriptive data about reproduction or
mean duration of different life stages. Recently, some researchers used life table data
to show the effect of different factors on the survival and fecundity of lady beetles
more efficiently. Development of age-stage, two-sex life table theory which
includes the role of both males and females in population increase and consumption,
44
H. Madadi