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Investigation on the Mutual Reactions of Alfalfa Leaf Weevil, Hypera postica Gyll. (Coleoptera : Curculionidae) and Dominant Species of its Natural Enemies

ESMAEIL ALIZADEH, ORUJ VALIZADEGAN, SHAHRAM ARAMIDEH, MOHAMMAD HASSAN SAFARALIZADEH AND SEYED EBRAHIM SADEGHI
1Department of Plant Protection, West Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Urmia, Iran
*(e-mail : ism478@gmail.com; Mobile : +98 9141415227)
(Received : May 9, 2019; Accepted : July 15, 2019)

ABSTRACT

Alfalfa leaf weevil, Hypera postica Gyll. (Coleoptera : Curculionidae) is regarded as one of the most important pests of alfalfa in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. In order to investigate the population dynamics of the pest, the present study was performed in two regions Galashagi with 1825 m and Shoat with 980 m AMSL (above mean sea level) during 2015-16. The study on the dynamics of the populations of the important parasitoids, Bathyplectes curculionis Thomson, B. anurus Thomson and Oomyzus (=Tetrasticus) incertus Ratzeburg in both the years showed no significant difference between two years. The population peaks of B. curculionis and B. anurus were recorded in the Shoat at the 15th of May and the 7th July, respectively. In Galashagi, the population peaks of B. curculionis and B. anurus were observed on the 8th June and 6th July. The correlation between H. postica and B. anurus populations was studied (R²=0.841). The population densities of the predators in 2015 and 2016 were similar. However, the population density of Coccinella septempunctata was higher than population density of Chrysoperla carnea in both the regions and in both the years.
Key words :Alfalfa weevil, biological agents, lucerne, population density