Identification of Parasitoids and Seasonal Parasitism of the Agromyzid Leafminers Genus Liriomyza (Dip.: Agromyzidae) in Varamin, Iran

The agromyzid leafminers, Liriomyza sativae Blanchard and L. trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) are major pests that attack vegetables in Varamin, Tehran Province. The parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) of these pests were investigated during 2003. The leafminer inf ested leaves were collected f rom different host plants, in particular cucumber(Cucumis sativus L.,) and preserved under laboratory conditions until the parasitoids emerged. The vegetable leafminer were parasitized by an expected range of parasitoids. The parasitoid species included Cirrospilus vittatus Walker, Hemiptarsenus zilahisebessi Erdös, Closterocerus formosus Westwood, Diglyphus isaea (Walker), Diglyphus crassinervis Erdös. and Pnigalio sp. nr. pectinicornis. The most common species was D. isaea, followed by C. formosus and D. crassinervis. Although insecticides were applied continuously for control of leafminers, the mean seasonal percentage of parasitism was 51.12%. The morphological characteristics of each species are given in brief