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The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is one of the most important and destructive pests of citrus in the world, because of its ability to vector bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter americanus and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the presumed causal pathogen of Huanglongbing (HLB) or greening disease. The biology and reproduction parameters of D. citri were studied at 27.5°C on four host plants corresponding to the four major varieties cultivated in Iran, namely, Marsh grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), local sour orange (C. aurantium), Mexican lime (C. aurantifolia), and Campbell Valencia orange (C. sinensis). The average developmental period of total nymphal stages and total cycle (egg to adult) were significantly longer on Campbell Valencia orange (21.2 and 24.1 days, respectively) than on other host plants. The mean of pre-oviposition period on four host plants varied (2.4-4.0 days) and was significantly longer on Campbell Valencia orange (4 days) than on other host plants. Oviposition rate and total eggs laid were not significantly different between the different hosts. Survival rate of D. citri was significantly lower on Campbell Valencia orange (42.1%) than on the three other varieties. The finite rate of increase (λ) and the r_m value of D. citri were higher on Mexican lime (1.20 and 0.17, respectively) than on the three other hosts. Also, mean doubling time was higher on Marsh grapefruit (11.84 Days) than on other host plants. These new data give more insight about susceptibility of the different varieties of citrus to D. citri.

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Egg parasitoids forage for hosts in a dynamic ecosystem. The short longevity of the adult stage forces them to access a host in a short time. The current study examined optimal reproductive attributes of three egg parasitoids: Trissolcus agriope (Kozlov and Le), Trissolcus delucchii Kozlov and Trissolcus niceppe (Kozlov and Le) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). The characteristics used were fecundity, immature survival rate, daily reproduction, and sex ratio that emerged from host eggs, Acrosternum arabicum Wagner (Hemipteran: Pentatomidae). Experiments were conducted separately in the first day of emergence, 20, 40, 60 and 80% of the mean longevity of naïve foundresses, influenced by mating status and under host deprivation conditions. The results revealed that the immature survival rate of foundresses of T. agriope on the first day of emergence, and at 20 and 40% of longevity were higher than other progeny produced by the three parasitoids, whether mated or unmated. All foundresses produced maximum progeny in the first oviposition experience, although the oviposition period was continuous. Regardless of mating status, the progeny production of T. agriope and T. niceppe declined in the last two stages (60 and 80% of female longevity). The proportion of male progeny increased with foundress age from 40% of their longevity. The species-specific performance of female parasitoids is discussed with regards to oogenesis, oosorption and survival of male gametes in female spermatheca. The results provided information about suitable female age for mass rearing and mass release programs, whether in inundation method or for determination of inoculation rhythms.