Natural Enemies of Cypress Tree Mealybug, Planococcus vovae (Nasonov) (Hem., Pseudococcidae), and their Parasitoids in Tehran, Iran

The cypress tree mealybug, Planococcus vovae (Nasonov) (Hem., Pseudococcidae) is one of the most important pests of cypress trees, especially Cupressus semprevirens fastigiata L. in Iran. A survey was carried out to determine the natural enemies of cypress tree mea-lybug in Tehran Province, during ۲۰۰۴-۲۰۰۵. As a result of this study, ۱۷ species of preda-tors, parasitoids and hyperparasitoids belonging to ۱۰ families and ۱۵ genera were col-lected and identified. Among the natural enemies associated with P. vovae three species, Coccidoxenoides perminutus Girault (Hym., Encyrtidae), Aprostocetus ceroplastae (Girault) (Hym., Eulophidae) and Pachyneuron bonum Xu and Li (Hym., Pteromalidae) were recorded here for the first time from Iran. The diagnostic morphological character-istics of the newly recorded species are given here and illustrated. The host range and economic importance of its natural enemies are reviewed and discussed.

Keywords:

IRAN , Natural enemies , Biological control , Cypress tree mealybug , Planococcus vovae