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In this study, the age-stage specific functional response of fourth instars and adult females of Exochomus nigripennis (Erichson) was evaluated. Our results showed a type II functional response for predation toward adult Gossyparia spuria Modeer at four constant temperatures (23, 27, 31, and 35 °C). The estimated maximum a' by a single E. nigripennis larva was 0.0317, 0.1404, 0.0656, and 0.0039 h−1, at 23, 27, 31, and 35 °C, respectively. Likewise, Th of E. nigripennis larvae significantly reduced as temperature elevated from 23 to 31 °C, and then increased at 35 °C. The a' and Th of females at different temperatures followed the same pattern as larvae. Adult females and males consumed significantly more G. spuria than larvae at a prey density of 150 nymphs. Because of the large effect of temperature on the predation rate of G. spuria by E. nigripennis and the Type II functional response for fourth instar larvae and adults of this predator, temperature during inundative application of E. nigripennis against G. spuria in the field should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is focused on the species belonging to the genus Maiestas Distant, 1917 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae, Deltocephalini) in Iran, based on some specimens collected during 2016 to 2019 from Southeast Iran and species that have been previously reported: M horvathi (Then, 1896), M pruthii (Metcalf, 1967), M schmidtgeni (Wagner, 1939), and M. trifasciata (Lindberg, 1954). M. pruthii, previously known from the Oriental region (India and Pakistan), is recorded for the first time in the Palaearctic region from Southeast Iran and M. horvathi is a new record for the fauna of Sistan and Baluchestan Province. An identification key and distribution maps for the Iranian Maiestas species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood-based panels are used at inside and outside of various building, and termites feed mostly from these lignocelluloses materials. The aim of present study identifies biological resistance of four wooden products that include medium density fiberboard, 3-plywood and particleboard against Microcerotermes diversus termite via field method. Degradation grading the termite attack was performed in accordance with the ASTM D 1758-06 specifications. This research was conducted in Sistan region and Jiroft for 15 months. On the base of this result, all testing samples have been degraded. Both weight loss and grading values indicated that the 3-plywood and medium density fiberboard had the lowest and highest degradation, respectively. The weight loss and grading values of wood based panel specimens against the Microcerotermes diversus attack is the same. Field observations showed that the degradation of composite specimens located at Sistan are similar to Jiroft, except of particleboard specimen degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]