Farnaz Fekrat

Dodder or Cuscuta spp. (Cuscutaceae) is a parasitic flowering plant which can cause much damage on a wide variety of host plants. Field investigations in Kerman (South of Iran) resulted in the discovery of two new potential biological control agents of Cuscuta spp including Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa, 1843) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) and Aphis fabae (Hemiptera: Aphididae). During 2014, extensive feeding of O. hyalinipennis was observed on the dodder seed capsules parasitizing Christ's Thorn Jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi(L.)Wild.). Adults and nymphs of the insect feed heavily of the seed capsules that destroyed the capsules completely. It was also observed that adults and nymphs of A. fabae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) feed on the vine wraps of Cuscuta spp. parasitizing potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) and native hops bushes (Dodonaea viscosa). The aphid feeding caused serious damage to the dodder vine wraps clearly. This is the first report of the feeding of O. hyalinipennis and A. fabae on Cuscuta spp. and their potential as biological control agents in Iran.