New records of the wasps (Eurytomidae) associated with Stipa arabica Trin. & Rupr (Poaceae) in Iran

Parasitoid wasps of the family Eurytomidae are considered as biological control agents; because they are known as a parasite of a large group of insects: Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera. Therefore, identification and introduction of the fauna of these wasps are important in Iran. The members of the family Poaceaehave mostly hollow stems which make a safe space for the larva of parasite and parasitoid insects. The genus Stipa is among important genera of herbaceous plants. Many species of this genus are among important forage crops. Stipa arabica Trin. & Rupr. is important for soil conservation in steppes consisting of this species and Artemisia plant. In this research, this species was collected from the Kuhpayeh area of Kerman province. The grass stems were dissected in the lab and the larvae and pupae of the parasitoids were removed. Larvae and pupae were placed individually in small gelatine capsules through to the adult stage. The results of the identification of the specimens indicated that four species: Eurytoma differta Zerova, 1977, Eurytoma stepposa Zerova, 1980, Eurytoma collaris Walker, 1832 and Tetramesa aciculata Schlechtendal, 1891belonging to the family Eurytomidae are associated with the above plant that are reported for the first time for the fauna of Iran. All the recorded species were confirmed by Prof. Zerova from Ukraine

Keywords:

Parasitoid wasps , Eurytomidae , Stipa , New record , Iran