Laboratory and field bioassays were conducted to evaluate the pathogenicity of an endophytic and a soil isolate of the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. against different stages of squash beetle, Epilachna chrysomelina (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Both isolates were identified by ITS rDNA sequence analysis. Both isolates were pathogenic to the squash beetle; however, their potential was different according to the conidia concentration and the exposure period. Three days post treatment, (100%) mortality rate was obtained, when the first and second larval instars were treated by the B. bassiana ES (soil isolate) compared to 83.67 and 72.60%, respectively when treated with the endophytic isolate. A percentage of 17.67% malformation occurred among the adults that emerged from treated pupae. The highest mortality percentage under field conditions were 28.67 and 22.33% for larvae and adults, respectively.

A b s t r a c tThe eucalyptus gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), is a new genus and species recorded for the first time in Duhok city, Kurdistan region, Iraq. L. invasa makes galls on petioles, leaf midribs and young branches of Eucalyptus camaldulensis saplings and trees. This galling eventually can lead to heavily injured saplings. The average number of galls was 37.23 gall/branch, and major infestation was on leaf midribs with an average of 19.35 galls.

Beauveriabassianaas an endophyte fungus was isolated for the first time from cucumber leaves in Duhok province, Kurdistan region, Iraq. The identification was based on molecular and morphological analyses. Morphological description matched well with its molecular analysis using ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer region). Cultivation of B. bassiana isolate on rice and wheat grains as liquid and solid media have shown that the weight, sporulation and germination of the fungus differs significantly between two grains, the maximum weight of the fungus achieved when cultured on rice based medium as liquid (cooked rice) compared to wheat based medium. Inverse results recorded in the case of solid media that the maximum weight ofB. bassiana achieved on wheat compared to rice medium.

This work is a first comprehensive survey of true bugs (Hemiptera). A total of 14 species belonging to 14 genera, 12 tribes, 9 subfamilies and 9 families of the suborder Heteroptera and order Hemiptera were recorded and identified in Duhok province, Kurdistan region. A percent 40% of species belonged Pentatomidae family. Date and collecting localities and general distribution with plant association data for each species are given.

A total of 47 species belonging to 46 genera, 34 subfamilies, 23 families and 7 orders of predator and parasitoid insects were collected and identified. The survey was conducted throughout the program held by the General Directorate of Agriculture-Duhok, in cooperating with the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences in Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq from May 2013 to April 2014. The species hosts, collecting date, locality and distributions are given. The current checklist also included some species previously collected by other researchers in Duhok Province.