---

From 2009 to 2012, 16 species of Curculionidae (Coleoptera) from the subfamily Lixinae were collected on 17 species of food plants in Iranian rangelands. Identified species belong to seven genera in the tribes Lixini and Cleonini. The host plants from which they were collected were in the families Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Apiaceae, Campanulaceae, Brassicaceae and Zygophyllaceae. Of the 16 species that we captured, two (Lixus subfarinosus Desbrochers, 1893 and Larinus remissus Faust, 1889) represent the first records from Iran. These new data also extend the known ranges of several species (Larinus fucatus Faust, 1894, Larinus grisescens Gyllenhal, 1835, Microlarinus rhinocylloides Hochhuth, 1847 and Bangasternus planifrons (Brulle, 1832) in Iran. The distribution of beetles and their associated host plants are presented and ecological notes on each species are provided.

---

The water fern weevil, Stenopelmus rufinasus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is considered as the most important biological control agent of Azolla spp. in the world. Azolla spp. was introduced in Iran in 1986. In August 2017, two specimens of S. rufinasus were collected on Azolla spp. in waterways near Anzali lagoon and Rice Research Institute of Iran (RRII) in Guilan province for the first time. Identification was based on molecular sequencing. This is the first record of S. rufinasus from Iran.
 

---

In this study, the roles of proximate composition, mineral profile and heavy metal contamination were investigated on selected biological activities of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) that were maintained on six cowpea cultivars. The levels of heavy metals; cadmium, lead and arsenic in six cowpea cultivars; Ife Brown, Ife BPC, Oloyin, Drum, Sokoto Local, and Niger White were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry while those of nutrient elements; zinc, sodium, calcium and potassium were determined using flame photometry. The proximate analyses and physico-chemical characterization of the cowpea cultivars were also performed. Callosobruchus maculatus was maintained on the cowpea cultivars and biological activities such as oviposition, adult emergence, percentage seed damage, and weight loss were monitored. The levels of heavy metals, mineral elements and proximate composition differed significantly among the cultivars investigated, and the values were comparable to those reported for cowpea cultivars in other studies. Of the cowpea cultivars, the Ife Brown was the most susceptible to the bruchid C. maculatus infestation while the Drum cultivar was the least susceptible. In conclusion, the results from this study show that the cowpea cultivars differed in the levels of toxic and mineral elements. While there were significant relationships between physical parameters (e. g. seed hardness), proximate composition (moisture contents and crude fibre) and adult emergence and oviposition, there was no strong evidence that the levels of heavy metals and mineral elements play significant role on the biology of C. maculatus.
 

---

Nowadays, the increased pest resistance to chemical pesticides and the pesticide residues in food, together with the toxic effects of pesticides on mammals and the environment, necessitate the use of newer and safer alternatives for controlling insect pests. The use of encapsulation technology for pesticides formulations has led to increased efficiency and controlled release of these substances. In this study, four formulations containing Artemisia sieberi Besser essential oil based on biodegradable polymers such as polyethylene glycol, starch, glycerol mono stearate, and maltodextrin were prepared as powder and pellet to control the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae. Chemical composition of A. sieberi essential oil was determined and 16 components were identified. Cis-thujone, Santolinyl acetate, Trans-thujone, and Camphor were the major components of the oil. These formulations were different in the amount and type of polymers and surfactants. Also, these formulations were combined with a different rotation speed of the homogenizer. In this study, the fumigant toxicity of these formulations was compared with the A. sieberi oil. The experiments were carried out on the adult stage of the rice weevil at 27±1°C, 70±5% RH and in total darkness condition. The results showed that the LC₅₀ value of the essential oil after 72 hours was 11.33 ppm, while the LC₅₀ of formulations 1 to 4 were 47.61, 57.55, 23.94, and 44.66 ppm, respectively. Therefore, encapsulation of plants essential oils as a safe pesticide with slow release and fumigant toxicity can be used in integrated pest managements.

---

The persistence effects of Silica Nanoparticles (SNPs), namely, Nanosav and Aerosil^®, were evaluated on several pulses for controlling Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). For this purpose, one kg of each pulse was treated with four concentrations (50, 100, 200, and 300 mg kg-1) of each SNPs. The sampling was tested after 0, 2, 4, and 6 months’ storage period following the treatment. Adults were introduced to these samples and the number of dead adults was counted 1, 2, and 4 days after the exposure to the treated pulses. The percentage decrease in F1 progeny was calculated 42 days later. The mortality was 100% in black gram, cowpea, green gram, and chickpea when treated at a concentration of 300 mg.kg-1 of both SNP formulations in 0-month post-treatment four days after the exposure. No progeny was observed in lentil treated with 300 mg kg-1 of Nanosav in 0-month post-treatment. Another experiment was conducted to calculate SNPs adherence to the seeds. The highest adherence was on the black gram with 86 and 99.5%, in Nanosav and Aerosil^®, respectively. Our results indicated that two SNPs had insecticidal activity against C. maculatus and can be used effectively in integrated pest management program of C. maculatus in stored pulses.

---

The local strain of B. thuringiensis var. tenebrionis-BN2 (Btt-BN2) was used to control the alfalfa weevil. Experimental design using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied for the optimization of the culture medium and fermentation parameters in order to achieve a high level of Colony-Forming Unit (CFU) (spore mL⁻¹). The parameters including the amount of carbon and nitrogen sources at three levels were investigated with CFU (spore mL⁻¹) response for two sets of experiments. The obtained results showed that the maximum CFU (spore mL⁻¹) for the minimum concentration of oat (2 g L^-1), the minimum concentration of corn steep liquor (10 g L^-1), and the maximum concentration of sugarcane molasses (10 g L^-1) were equivalent to 1.4×10¹³ spore mL^-1. Optimum fermentation parameters to obtain the highest value of CFU (spore mL⁻¹) were determined as a maximum level of pH of eight and a medium level of temperature (28⁰C). Amazingly, optimum conditions enhanced the CFU value to 8.06× 10¹³ spore mL^-1, which is very significant in the Btt research. Finally, the bioassay analysis of Btt in a single system and binary system (combination of two insecticides; Matrine^® and Abamectin^®) at different concentrations illustrated 83% of mortality efficiency (3 ppm of Btt and 0.5 ppm Matrine) on the 3^rd day of treatment and 100% efficiency almost for all combination of Btt with Matrine and/or Abamectin after the 7^th day. The bioassay results showed promising environmentally friendly mortality efficiency compared to the current chemical treatments.