During 2007 and 2008, a survey on species diversity of Acari associated with pistachio trees and seasonal dynamics of the dominant injurious species was conducted in Mahvelat region for the first time.8 varieties of pistachio including Akbari, Owhadi, Badami, Barg siah, Ghermez, Kalah ghochi, Germeh and Momtaz, commonly grown in the region were compared in terms of infestation to the two predominant species of injurious mites. As a result, 9 species of mites belonging to 9 genera, 7 families and 3 orders were identified, 4 of which were phytophagous. Of collected species, the eriophyid species, Shevtchenkella recki (Bagd.) and two species namelyTyphlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein and Arutunjan and Tyrophagus brevicrinatus Robertson were new for Iranian and the province fauna respectively. Among the phytophagous mites, Sh.recki and T. granati were the dominant species. ANOVA showed a significant difference between varieties of pistachio in terms of infestation to the dominant phytophagous mites. The highest and least level of pistachio infestation to phytophagous mites was observed on Ghermez, Owhadi, Kallah ghochi and Germeh variety respectively. In this study, the highest population of the dominant phytophagous mites was observed on August and September. Among the different varieties of pistachio the least and highest density of Sh. recki was observed on Germeh and Kallah ghochi varieties respectively. The least and highest density ofTenuipalpus granati Sayed was observed on Germeh and Owhadi varieties respectively. On all sampling dates, the density of both mite species on lower surface was higher than upper surface of leaves.

In order to study the fauna of Tetranychoidea on fruit trees in Mashhad Region, Iran, a sampling program was conduated during 2006-2007. Samples were taken directly from leaves, stems and branches by shaking on white tray or use of Berlese funnel trap. Microscopic slides were provided according to valid methods. In this study 8 species from 8 genus belonging to two families (Tetrnychidae and Tenuipalpidae) were collected and identified:Tetranychus urticae, Panonychus ulmi, Olygonychus bicolor, Eotetranychus pruni, Bryobia rubrioculus, Meyernychus emeticae, Tenuipalpus granati and Cenopalpus irani.Results showed that T. urticae had the greatest host range and activity during the sampling periods. Predatory mites belonging to 8 families were collected mostly on apple and pear trees in regions with lower than 1000 meter altitude. Most of the predatory mites were from Cunaxidae but the most varied host range and distribution of was Tydeidae. Torogh destrict had the fughest species richness. Most species diversity was recorded from Torogh district.

Pilidiella granati has been recognized as the agent of pomegranate fruit rot disease which is reported as crown rot pathogen in recent years.In order to identify the causal agent of pomegranate crown rot, samples were collected from infected pomegranate trees in Lorestan province. Fungal isolates were purified and identified morphologically. Based on morphological and cultural characteristics, the fungus was identified as Pilidiella granati. This is the first report of P. granati pomegranate crown rot in Lorestan province.

Responses of ten pomegranate cultivars Malas Torsh Saveh, Malas Shirin Saveh, Agha Mohammad Ali Shirin, Alk Torsh Saveh, Alk Shirin Saveh, Poost Sefid Shirin, Poost  Sefid Torsh, Poost Siyah Shirin, Tabestani Torsh Saveh and Poost Sefid Bihasteh Shomal to population density of Tenuipalpus punicae were evaluated during 2001-2002 in Saveh region. A Randomized Complete block design in three replications was used for analysing the data collected from forthnightly sampling of mites onset from mid. May up to mid. November. Maximum number of mites on both sides of leaves was recorded 67.66 and 24.33 at the middle and end of August on Poost Sefid Shirin cultivar during two years of sampling, respectively. Maximum (13.47) and minimum (0.4) mites densities were recorded on Poost Sefid Shirin and Malas Torsh cultivars in the first year and rather similar densities in the second year determined them as susceptible and resistance cultivars to the mite density respectively, but in general no significant difference was observed among the cultivars with population density of mite. Analysis of data from eleven sampling intervals indicated only peak of mite population during September which can be related to the high temperature occurred during this period. Population of mite was highly affected by color and taste of pomegranate cultivars. Cultivar Poost Sefid and local cultivars with white color and sweet taste attracted higher populations of mite. Maximum mite-days (225 days) was also observed on Poost sefid Torsh cultivar. These findings indicate that white colored pomegranate cultivars accepting higher populations of mites and longer time of activity, seems to be more sensitive to the mite.

The Miankaleh Biosphere Reserve with a surface area of 68800 hectares is located in 12 km N of Behshahr (Mazandaran Province, N. Iran) between 53o 35' - 54o 2' eastern longitude and 36o 45' - 36o 55' northern latitude. The vegetation of Miankaleh Peninsula was studied, using the Braun-Blanquet (Zygmatist) method. Based on the analysis of phytosociological data using the Anaphyto software and AFC and CAH methods 26 associations were recognized. The following associations occupy the large part of the area: Punicetum granati, Junco maritimi - Rubetum sancti, Juncetum littoralis and Salicornietum europaea. The distribution of plant associations in the Miankaleh area is mainly influenced by the soil chemical factors including EC, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, HCO3-, SO42- and water table.

During 1997-1998 a faunistic study was carried out on mites (Acari) associated with grapevine in Safiabad, Khuzestan, south Western province of Iran. A total 39 species belonging to 37 genera and 27 families were identified respectively. The new mite records in Iran indicated by the asterisk. The most abundant predator, scavenger and pest mites were Androlaelaps casalis Berlese (Laelapidae), Oppia yodai Aoki (Oppiidae) and Tenuipalpus granati Sayed (Tenuipalpidae) in Dezful region. Among collected specimens, 12 species were new records for Iran. The newly recorded mites are listed as follows.Mesostigmata                                                                  PhytoseiidaeLaelapidae                                                                      Euseius obtectus* Khan, Chaudri & TahirPseudoparasitus holaspis* (Oudemans)                             Proprioseiopsis sp.Androlaelaps casalis (Berlese)                                           Anthoseius rhenanus (Oudemans)Hypoaspis aculifera Ganestrini                                          Amblyseius reductus* WainsteinAscidae                                                                          MacrochelidaeProtogamasellus sp.                                                        Macrocheles scutatus* (Berlese)Lasioseius matthyssei* Chant                                           AmeroseiidaeLasioseius phytoseioides* Chant                                       Ameroseius pavidus* KochGamasellodes bicolor (Berlese)                                         Pachylaelapidae                                                                                    Pachylaelaps karawaiewi (Berlese)