Survey of Natural Enemies of Mealybug Species (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae) in Kermanshah Province, Western Iran to Inform Biological Control Research

Abstract

 A field survey for natural enemies of mealybugs (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae) in Kermanshah province, Iran was conducted during years 2009-2010. Five primary, two primary/secondary, one secondary parasitoid species, and twelve predator species were collected on five species of Pseudococcidae. The coccinellids Diomus rubidus Motsch 1837, Nephus biflammulatus (Motschulsky 1837) and Nephus ulbrichi Fürsch 1977 are new records for Iran. In addition, two encyrtid species, including Homalotylus turkmenicus Myartseva and Homalotylus eytelweinii (Ratzeburg) were reared on coccinellid larvae that have been associated with mealybugs colonies. Available ecological and biological information as well as geographical distribution for each species are also included.