During 1999-2001 the biology of Ocneria terebinthina Stgr, (Lep.: Lymantriidae) was studied on wild pistachio trees, in Khojir protected area in east of Tehran. According to the results, this pest over winters as larva inside the bark crevices on infected trees, under debris and dried leaves around tree bases. Activity of the over wintering larvae usually starts from late April. Pupae are formed on host leaves or in the soil. Male followed by female adults appear from mid-July. Females lay egg batches on the lower surface of leaves. The number of eggs in a single batch can be quite different and have ranged from few to more than 200 eggs. Hatched larvae feed on parenchyma around the egg batches and after molting migrate on other leaves and branches.
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd larval stages feed on parenchyma and beneath epidermis of leaves and skeletonize the leaves, but last larval stages feed on the whole leaves except for the main vein. Males and females have five and six larval stages, respectively. This insect has two generations per-year in Khojir areas. First and second generations begin from early June and late July, respectively. This insect goes to winter diapause from late September as 2nd, 3'd, and 4th larval instars. Some of natural enemies were collected as follow:
- Egg parasitoid wasp, Ooencyrtus masiiMercet. (Hym.: Encyrtidae).
- Pupa parasitoid wasp, Brachymeria intermedi Nees. (Hym.: Chalcididae)
- Pupa parasitoid midge, Exorista sp.( Dip.: Tachinidae)
- Predator bug, Rhinocoris iracundus Poda. (Het.: Reduviidae)
These natural enemies together play effective role in lessening pest population in Khojir area.
- تقی زاده، ف. و صفوص، م.، 1339. آفات پسته ایران و طرز مبازه با آنها. نشریه اداره کل بررسی آفات نباتی، 72 صفحه.
- سپهر، ک. و عبایی، م.، 1368. بررسی برگخوار بنه و روش مبارزه با آن در ایران. خلاصه مقالات نهمین کنگره گیاه پزشکی ایران، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد.
- صباحی، ق.، آل منصور، ح. و حمزه زرقانی، ح.، 1374. بررسی تغییرات جمعیت پروانه برگخوار بنه در استان فارس. خلاصه مقالات دوازدهمین کنگره گیاهپزشکی ایران، صفحه 259.
Omid, R., Azizkhani, E., Askary, H., & Moniri, V. R. (2004). Biological investigation of Ocneria terebinthina in Khojir protected area. Iranian Journal of Forest and Range Protection Research, 2(2), 209-212.
MLA
R. Omid; E. Azizkhani; H. Askary; V. R. Moniri. "Biological investigation of Ocneria terebinthina in Khojir protected area". Iranian Journal of Forest and Range Protection Research, 2, 2, 2004, 209-212.
HARVARD
Omid, R., Azizkhani, E., Askary, H., Moniri, V. R. (2004). 'Biological investigation of Ocneria terebinthina in Khojir protected area', Iranian Journal of Forest and Range Protection Research, 2(2), pp. 209-212.
VANCOUVER
Omid, R., Azizkhani, E., Askary, H., Moniri, V. R. Biological investigation of Ocneria terebinthina in Khojir protected area. Iranian Journal of Forest and Range Protection Research, 2004; 2(2): 209-212.
)