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Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as an ectoparasitoid of larval stage of lepidopterous pests is widely used in biological control programs. In the present research, the effect of field recommended doses of imidacloprid, indoxacarb and deltamethrin were studied on life table parameters of H. hebetor in pupal stage treatment. One hundred, two-day-old pupae were treated with 1 micro liter insecticide solution using topical method. The pupae were treated with acetone in the control. Thirty emerged adults in each treatment were transferred individually to a Petri dish along with a male for mating. Three last instar larvae of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were presented to each female wasp daily as host. The numbers of eggs produced per female per day were counted until all of the females were dead. The gross and net reproductive rates in control, imidacloprid, indoxacarb and deltamethrin were 204.6, 207.7, 209.1 and 112.1 and also 75, 41.3, 64.6 and 14.9, respectively. Intrinsic rates of increase were estimated to be 0.215, 0.154, 0.205 and 0.14 female offspring/female/day, respectively. Deltamethrin and imidacloprid had the most adverse effects on life table parameters of H. hebetor. Intrinsic rate of increase was not significantly affected by indoxacarb. These findings indicated that indoxacarb was relatively safe for H. hebetor and could be an appropriate candidate in integrated chemical and biological control.

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The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an important pest of potato and other solanaceous plants. It is cosmopolite and oligophage that exists in most countries where potatoes are grown. Because of chemical treatment adverse effects, there is a necessity to find safe alternatives to synthetic insecticides. So, medicinal plants are promising since they are safe, inexpensive and effective. In this direction, potato tubers were dipped in 1 ml of 5% methanolic extracts of fumitory, licorice, lavender and oregano. The percentage of first larval penetration to tubers and oviposition-preference of mentioned medicinal plants was investigated on PTM. Subsequently, fumigant toxicity of essential oils of basil, european pennyroyal, lavender, mint and savory were investigated on P. operculella. Treated potato tubers by methanolic extract of lavender elicited the lowest percentage (19.3) of first larval penetration. Studying of oviposition-preference demonstrated that the largest number of eggs were laid on control and fumitory with 28 and 10 eggs after three days, respectively. Probit analysis of essential oils showed that the most effective oil was savory which exhibited LC₅₀ value on adults of PTM equivalent to 0.048 µL/L air.  

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The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) is one of the important pests of potato in tropical regions. In this research, the toxicity of two insecticides, abamectin and deltamethrin on P. operculella was studied at 26 ± 1 C°, 65 ± 5% RH and photoperiod of 16:8 h (L: D). The concentrations were determined by preliminary dose setting experiments. Distilled water was used as control. LC₅₀ values for egg, first instar larvae and adult stages in abamectin were 0.92, 0.014 and 0.46 mg ai/l and in deltamethrin were 0.09, 0.024 and 0.29 mg ai/l, respectively. The sublethal effects of abamectin and deltamethrin on population growth parameters of P. operculella were determined at mentioned conditions. Four hundred 1 day old eggs of the pest were dipped in insecticides solutions (LC₃₀). After egg hatching, the first instar larvae were transferred on potato tubers and placed in transparent plastic dishes. After adults' emergence, 20 females were used for each treatment in life table experiments. In control, abamectin and deltamethrin treatments intrinsic rates of increase were estimated to be 0.060, 0.042 and 0.141 day^-1, respectively. Statistical analyses showed that deltamethrin had the higher toxicity to egg and adult stages of PTM and abamectin had the higher toxicity to its first instar larvae. Since deltamethrin increased the stable population parameters of P. operculella specially its intrinsic rate of increase, thus it might not be recommended for control of PTM. However based on lethal and sublethal effects, abamectin could be suitable for management of this pest.

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Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are commonly used as biological agents for control of insect pests. This study was carried out to identify EPNs, determine dominant and frequent species in Kurdistan province, Iran and characterize their symbiotic bacteria. Identification of EPNs was performed based on morphological and morphometrical characters and also rRNA-ITS gene sequences. Two EPNs, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) and Steinernema feltiae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) were identified. Out of totally 150 soil samples collected mainly from mid-southern parts of the province, 60% were positive for EPNs. Heterorhabditis bacteriphora showed the highest frequency in this region, remarkably 59.3% of soil samples contained this species. Incidences of H. bacteriphora in grasslands, woodlands and alfalfa fields were 57.3, 14.6 and 28.0 percent, respectively. Steinernema feltiae was found only in alfalfa fields with 0.66% frequency. Bacterial symbionts of H. bacteriophora and S. feltiae were also identified based on biochemical characters and recA gene sequencing. In this research, two species of Photorhabdus were isolated from H. bacteriophora namely P. luminescens subsp. kayaii and P. temperata subsp. thracensis. Xenorhabdus bovienii was identified from infective juveniles of S. feltiae.

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Lady beetles are the most important predatory species among arthropods, so studying their population parameters gives a clear picture about their life span. The life histories of variegated lady beetle, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), fed on the English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae Fabricius, on different host plants were studied under laboratory conditions, at 25 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5% Relative Humidity and a photoperiod of 16:8 (Light: Dark) h. Developmental, survival and fecundity data were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table method. According to the age-stage, two-sex life table, the net reproductive rates (R₀) of ladybird fed on S. avenae reared on Triticum aestivum var. tajan, Hordeum vulgare var. Dasht, Zea mays var. single cross 704 and Sorghum durra var. Speed feed were estimated to be 235.38 ± 36.15, 190.74 ± 33.37, 293.54 ± 46.66 and 137.46 ± 23.66 female offspring / female, respectively. Based on the results, the intrinsic rate of increase as an index of population increase of H. variegata, was 0.181 ± 0.006, 0.179 ± 0.006, 0.163 ± 0.006 and 0.162 ± 0.006 h^-1 preyed on host reared on T. aestivum var. tajan Z. mays var. single cross 704 S. durra var. Speed feed and H. vulgare var. Dasht, respectively. Our findings demonstrate that by using the age-stage, two-sex life table we can accurately describe the growth, survival and development of the predator. Our finding may provide basic information for developing aphid biological control programs.  

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Pieris brassicae L. is one of the most important pests of Brassicaceae. The insecticidal effect of two entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema feltiae, was determined through their interaction with Beauveria bassiana and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk) against P. brassicae. In the interaction tests, the EPNs were applied at LC₅₀ level 0, 12 or 24h after treating the larvae with LC₁₀ or LC₂₅ of the B. bassiana or Btk. The interaction between the EPNs and B. bassiana was entirely different from the interaction of the EPNs and Btk. The interaction with B. bassiana was dependant on time intervals, while the interaction of the EPNs with Btk was almost additive or synergistic. An antagonistic effect was seen when the EPNs were applied immediately after the B. bassiana. However, the application of the EPNs 24h after their treatment with B. bassiana caused additive or synergistic effects. The results also showed the best mortality effect when the EPNs were used with Btk at 12 h and 24 h time intervals. Based on the results, a simultaneous use of the EPNs and B. bassiana is not recommended against P. brassica. However, the EPNs could be used simultaneously after Btk but it is better to allow a time interval to increase mortality.

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The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is a major pest of potato, both in the field and storehouses. In this study, we have evaluated the lethal effects and persistence of Zingiber officinale (Roscoe) pure (PEO) and nano-formulated essential oil (NFO) on different developmental stages (egg, male and female adults) of PTM. Essential oil was extracted by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Nanofibers were produced by electrospinning technique. The morphology of nanofibers was investigated by SEM. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was used to identify the characteristic functional groups in the PEO, nanofiber and PEO/NFO scaffold. Bioassays were performed in 250 ml glass jars. The essential oil consisted of α-Zingiberene as the most abundant component (14.21%), followed by Ar-curcumene (12.58%), β-sesquiphellandrene (12.48%) and cis-α-bisabolene (10.29%). The results of FTIR spectra showed the establishment of the functional groups of PEO on the structure of the nanofiber. The images of SEM also demonstrated the establishment of PEO in the structure of the nanofiber. LC50 values of PEO and NFO were estimated 75.44 and 30.24µl/l air for eggs, 19.08 and 10.28µl/l air for female adults, and 17.76 and 9.56µl/l air for male adults, respectively. Persistence data showed that nano-formulated essential oil (49 days) in comparison with pure essential oil (15 day) had longer persistence. The results demonstrated that Z. officinale PEO and its nano-formulation could play an important role as natural pesticides for the management of PTM.

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Habrobracon hebetor Say is an idiobiont and gregarious larval ectoparasitoid of many moths. In this study, lethal and sublethal effects of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Carum carvi and Heracleum persicum essential oils on the demographic parameters of H. hebetor were assessed at 26 ± 2 °C, 60 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h. Essential oils were obtained from these plants by hydro-distillation method using a Clevenger apparatus. The chemical constituents of essential oils were detected by Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS). 250ml Glass vials were used for the fumigant toxicity experiments. In order to assess the sublethal effects, adult wasps were exposed to an LC₂₅ of each essential oil and then the demographic parameters of live parasitoid wasps were studied. Fumigant toxicity with adults indicated that the lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values of the above essential oils against H. hebetor females were 1.116, 0.34 and 3.416μl/l air, respectively. Chemical analysis by GC-MS displayed o-Cymene (15.11%), Carvone (55.8%) and Hexyl butyrate (41.78%) were main constituents of the essential oils of E. camaldulensis, C. carvi and H. persicum, respectively. The results showed that the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R₀) and gross reproductive rate (GRR) were significantly affected by the essential oils. The highest and the lowest r values were 0.226 and 0.130 day^-1 in control and C. carvi-treated insects, respectively. According to these results, essential oils have suitable potential for the integrated management of stored product pests.

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The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) is one of the important pests of solanaceous plants, especially potato Solanum tuberosum L., in many temperate areas of the world including Iran. In this study, essential oils were extracted from Artemisia absinthium L., Achillea millefolium L. and Artemisia dracunculus L. using Clevenger apparatus. One-day-old eggs were treated by sublethal concentrations (LC₃₀) of essential oils, and their effects were studied on reproductive parameters and population growth parameters. Probit analysis of ovicidal effects showed that LC₅₀ values for A. absinthium, A. millefolium and A. dracunculuswere 2.60, 2.36 and 1.08 µl/l air, respectively. The percentage of larval penetration into potato tubers was lower than untreated control. The values of intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) in control and treatments of A. absinthium, A. millefolium and A. dracunculus were 0.107, 0.079, 0.081 and 0.087 day^-1, respectively. The results of this study showed that tested essential oils have a good potential to protect stored potatoes from P. operculella infestation.
 
 

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In this study, the effect of three temperatures was investigated on the functional response of Orius laevigatus to Aphis gossypii in climatic chambers at 20, 25, and 30 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH, and 16:8 h photoperiod. Different densities of first and second instar nymphs of A. gossypii (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64) on cucumber leaf discs (6 cm in diameter) were separately offered to male and female predators. After 24 h, the number of consumed preys was recorded. Ten replicates per each aphid density were used. Based on the results, predator male and female exhibited types II, III, II and III, II, III functional responses at 20, 25 and 30 °C, respectively. Handling times (T_h) for males were 0.7798, 0.9177 and 0.4476 h and for females were 0.6874, 0.3921 and 0.2831 h at 20, 25 and 30 °C, respectively. Using the indicator variable method, pairwise comparisons of handling times of both males and females were significantly different. The theoretical maximum predation rate (T/T_h) of both males and females were obtained at 30 °C. The results revealed that O. laevigatus is more likely to be an effective biocontrol agent of A. gossypii at higher temperatures around 30 °C. However, additional studies under natural conditions are needed to provide further details of the predator-prey interactions.

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The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most damaging tomato pests in the world and in Iran. The toxicity of acetamiprid, eforia (thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin) and hexaflumuron alone and in mixture with emamectin benzoate was studied against 4^th-instars of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) at 25 ± 2 °C, 65 ± 5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) h. Moreover, the mixtures of examined insecticides with emamectin benzoate at LC₁₅:LC₁₅ ratio were assessed on the general esterase enzyme activity and total protein content of 4^th-instars. The highest toxicity was found for emamectin benzoate after 72 h (LC₅₀ = 0.48 mg a.i./l), followed by acetamiprid (LC₅₀ = 46.94 mg a.i./l), eforia (LC₅₀ = 156.24 mg a.i/l) and hexaflumuron (LC₅₀ = 670.32 mg a.i/l). Mixing emamectin benzoate with acetamiprid at the ratio of LC₅₀:LC₅₀ and LC₂₅:LC₂₅ resulted in synergistic impacts while mix of two other ratios of the same pesticides represented additive influences. The mixture of emamectin benzoate with either hexaflumuron or eforia at all ratios created antagonistic and additive effects, respectively. Mixing emamectin benzoate with either acetamiprid or eforia increased larval esterase activity, however, there was no significant difference between emamectin benzoate in mixture with hexaflumuron and using it alone. Mixing emamectin benzoate with the examined insecticides considerably decreased the larval total protein content. Based on the findings of this work, the mixtures of eforia and acetamiprid with emamectin benzoate represented greater negative effects against 4^th-instars compared to emamectin benzoate alone and the control.
 

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Up to this date, regardless of whether the writers or poets are from different geographic regions which period of history they belong to, they have always written about the world of women and they may even have created the same and similar ideas in their works. In this comparative study, first, the place, role, and characteristics of women and their needs and desires in a society and family are examined in the literature of Iran and Spain. In order to narrow down the research field, the short story of "Pink Nail-Polish" by Jalal Al-e-Ahmad and the play of "Yerma" by Federico Garcia Lorca have been studied as two famous works written by professional authors in both countries. First, a brief overview of the history of life and socio-cultural activities of both writers has been presented, then woman, her place, desires and needs have been studied separately, and finally the two works are compared.

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In macroeconomics literature inspired by traditional economists, it is said that economic growth and more equal distribution in income, are two opposite targets since moving toward more equality of income, will reduce propensity to saving. Based on the optimum growths models, it seems that the highest levels of growth can happen in a system just when in allocating the resources among the generations the attention is more paid to the concept of justice. If in this process the attention is more paid to the present generation compared to the future ones, the available resources for the whole system will decrease and as a result the economic growth will be stabilized at far lower rates. The more economic justice means the higher rate for economic growth. In this paper we use an optimal growth theory for studying the mechanics of this regularity. Empirical calibration of the model to the Iranian economy reveals that if economic policy makers in a planning period via a scenario can decrease social time preference to a 5%, real per capita GDP, consumption, saving and per capita capital formation will increase by 6.5%, 2.2% and 42% respectively.

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Arctic Oscillations (AO) are regarded as the influential factors in the changing climatic pattern of winters in northern hemisphere. In this research, we studied the relationship between winter severity in Tabriz and the climatic pattern using the data for winter climatic variables and the Sea Level Pressure (SLP) fluctuations index in the Arctic Ocean. The Spearman rank correlation was applied in order to find the relationship between the winter severity and the pattern. The results indicated the existence of a teleconnection correlation. After the calculation of the Winter Severity Index (WSI) for Tabriz, its polynomial trend was graphed, which shows a reducing trend indicating a reduction in the severity of winters and changing into temperate climate in Tabriz. Other reason for such a reduction is the declining trend of climatic factors like the number of snowy and freezing days, as well as the increasing trend of winter temperature. Based on the significant correlation between the AO Index and the climatic factors such as temperature, precipitation, snowy days and WSI, we might attribute the AO to the severity and/or temperateness of winters in Tabriz.

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Delamination is one of the main defects in composite materials. Studying the initiation and propagation of delamination is useful for the design and production of high quality resistant materials. Therefore understanding the behavior of delamination damage and having enough knowledge about that will be helpful. In this study, generated acoustic emission signals from two types of glass/epoxy composite specimens at different layups, [0,90]5s and [0]10, is recorded. After that signals were analyzed by applying strain energy function. The results indicate that specimens at different layups have different stiffness behavior toward damage initiation and growth. Using strain energy function method initiation and growth of delamination can be evaluated. The obtained results provide useful information for the design and production of high quality resistant composite materials.

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This article aims at analyzing the views of Rumi's Jalaluddin Muhammad Balkhi on the course of existence, first to clarify the status of the ontological issues in the thought and works of this mystic in order to provide a better understanding of the mystical insight of this mystic. Secondly, it is important to distinguish the type of Rumi's view of ontological issues from the ontological perspectives of philosophers and theologians. The author concludes with an analytic-descriptive approach that due to the low frequency of ontological issues in Rumi's works compared to topics related to anthropology and theology, Rumi's mystical insight relies on two anthropological and theological aspects. As a mystic, as opposed to philosophers and theologians, Rumi avoids going into the details of the ontological issues and may sometimes accompany these issues with epistemological issues as well.

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Biodegradable edible coatings, their enrichment with essential oils and their use on the surface of fruits are influential approaches that can reduce the problems of post-harvest management, thereby maintaining the quality of the produce. In this study, different concentrations of Arabic gum (0, 6 and 8% w/v) were used in combination with different concentrations of Shirazi thyme essential oil (0, 0.3 and 0.5% w/v), and their effects were measured with respect to various qualitative characteristics of fresh pistachio nuts which were evaluated for a period of 36 days under conditions of storage at a temperature of 3 ± 1°C. The results showed that the growth of mold and yeast and the growth of aerobic bacteria on the samples were significantly less than in other samples when using the 6% Arabic gum concentration enriched with the essential oil of Shirazi thyme at 0.3 and 0.5%. Also, adding the essential oil of Shirazi thyme (at 0.3 and 0.5%) to the formulation of Arabic gum (6%) managed to reduce the occurrence of water loss from the fresh pistacia and significantly reduced the weight loss from the samples. The addition of essential oil to the Arabic gum coating contributed significantly to the preservation of carbohydrates, chlorophylls, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants in the kernels of the fresh pistachios. Therefore, the use of edible coatings of 6% Arabic gum containing Shirazi thyme essential oil (at 0.3 and 0.5%) can maintain the quality and increase the shelf life of fresh pistachio.

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Softening, enzymatic browning and microbial activity are the most common problems of pomegranate arils during storage. In order to improve these problems, postharvest treatments of nitric oxide and cold storage were studied on pomegranate arils. Therefore, In order to evaluate the effect of temperature and different concentrations of nitric oxide on pomegranate arils, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications. In this study, nitric oxide was used at concentrations of 0, 5 and 10 µM/L as liquid solutions. The arils were dipped in solution for fifteen seconds and were packed by polyethylene containers after drying at room temperature. They were stored at cold temperatures (2, 4 and 8°C). The qualitative, quantitative and biochemical parameters were measured on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 of the storage period. The ANOVA results showed that the different concentrations of nitric oxide and storage temperatures caused significant differences among most of the evaluated parameters. The exposure of arils to nitric oxide at concentration of 10 µM/L and storage at 8°C caused them lower 50% weight loss and less 21% ion leakage, as well as higher marketability, anthocyanin content, total phenolic and antioxidant activity compared to arils of the control group storage at 2°C after 21 days. In general, arils treated with 10 µM/L of nitric oxide at 8°C showed the best apparent quality and storage life of pomegranate arils.    
 

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Green mold rot disease caused by Penicillium digitatum is the most economically important postharvest disease of lime fruit in all production areas. In this research, effects of essential oils (Cinnamomun verum, Eugenia caryophyllata, Thymus vulgaris, Zataria multiflora) for controlling green mold in Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia cv. Mexican lime) fruit were studied. Mexican limes were inoculated by Penicillium digitatum suspension and were immersed with the essential oils at three levels 0 (as control), 0.1 and 0.2% (v/v). Then, fruits were kept at 8±1^oC and 90-95% relative humidity for 21 days. The results showed that the essential oils significantly affected fruit decay, weight loss, L*, a*, b*, total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity. After 21 days of storage, total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity of treated fruit with essential oils were higher compared with the control. In addition, essential oils were effective in decay and water loss control, and decreasing L* and b* compared with the control. The garden thyme essential oil at 0.2% decreased postharvest decay seven times lower than control but increased total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity compared to the control 21 days after storage. Therefore, garden thyme essential oil has a strong effect on controlling green mold and maintaining quality of Mexican lime fruit.