Identification of egg parasitoid of Papilio demoleus Linnaeus (Lep.: Papilionidae) in Mazandaran Province

The lemon butterfly Papilio demoleus Linnaeus (Lep.: Papilionidae) is an important citrus pest in mostcitrus growing areas of the world ( particularly in the south and southeast Asia) and Iran. Identification of eggparasitoid of Papilio sp. was carried out in citrus orchards of Mazandaran in 2009. Egg sampling was doneweekly, collected eggs took place in rearing container separately and kept under the laboratory conditions(28±2˚C, 75% RH and 14L:10D). The result indicated that from each egg, 9 to 12 minute and tiny parasitoidwasps was emerged. Adult wasps were collected by aspirator and preserved in ethanol 96%. Primarilyinvestigation showed that all specimens belong to one species. To determine the scientific name, sampleswere sent to Dr. Porani (National Institute of important pest of agriculture, Karnataka, India). The specimenwas identified as Trichogrmma sp. (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae). It is the first record of egg parasitoid oflemon butterfly from Mazandaran. The egg parasitism rate was low at the beginning of growing season. Itincreased up to 10% at the end of season. The highest rate parasitism occurred in second generation andhighest period of the parasite eggs in the first decade of October to third decade of November.

کلیدواژه ها:

Papilio demoleus L. ، Trichogramma sp. ، parasitoid ، Mazandaran