A Survey of Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Fauna in Southern Parts of Zagros Mountains and a New Record for Aphid Fauna of Iran

Abstract

Aphids are an important group of agricultural crops pests so that by feeding on the plant sap they cause weakness and reducing the quantity and quality of yields. They also indirectly cause significant damage by transmitting viral pathogens. In this study, we tried to identify different species of aphids and their host plants in different habitats in southern areas of Zagros Mountains. The specimens were collected directly from their host plants from spring 2020 until end of summer 2021. Totally 66 aphid species belonging to 32 genera were identified on 64 host plant species. Amongst, Macrosiphoniella umarovi Narzikulov, 1972 is reported here for the first time from Iran. In addition, 22 species were reported for the first time from Fars province and five species from Kerman province.

Keywords

• biodiversity
• fauna
• geographical distribution
• macrosiphoniella umarovi
• zagros