No abstract

Phlebotomus papatasi sand fly is the main vector of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Iraq. The aim of this study was to assess and predict the effects of climate change on the distribution of the cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases and the main vector presently and in the future. Data of the CL cases were collected for the period (2000-2018) in addition to sand fly (SF) abundance. Geographic information system, R studio and MaxEnt (Maximum entropy niche model) software were used for analysis and predict effect of (elevation, population, Bio1-19, and Bio28-35) on CL cases distribution and SF occurrence. HadGEM2-ES model with two climate change scenarios, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 were used for future projections 2050. The results showed that the CL case trend was increased over the period (2000-2018) with highest peak observed in 2017. Incidence rate for same period was varied and increased. Near perfect crimination (SF as vector) led to high predictive performance of the model in 2050. The study concluded that the climate conditions are the major determinants of ZCL distribution and SF occurrence. Habitats suitability for the ZCL and SF will be stay in the future comparing with the current conditions. Evaluation of the effect of environmental conditions and bioclimatic factors on ZCL distribution and SF occurrence may provide a guide for CL prevention and control programmers.

This study was based on the determination of aphid species that infested Chrysanthemum sp. (Asterales, Asteraceae) in the middle of Iraq; five aphid species belong to subfamily Aphidinae were recorded: Aphis fabae Scopoli, 1763, Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877, Coloradoa rufomaculata (Wilson, 1908), Macrosiphoniella sanborni (Gillette, 1908) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776). A. gossypii was the most dominant species throughout the study period while M. persicae is the lesser species.A summary of the main taxonomic characters is presented here and a pictorial key which was designed to separate aphid species colonizing Chrysanthemum sp. is also presented.

Many insects are known to give response in adaptive way for seasonal changes in day lengths. Photoperiod control’s many developmental responses and allows insects to survive periods of unfavorable environmental conditions. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different photoperiod lengths on biological parameters of green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea. Four different photoperiod regimes were selected with varying lengths of light/dark hours (8/16, 10/14, 24/0 and 0/24) at a constant 26±2°C temperature with 70 % RH (relative humidity) in the laboratory. Photoperiod regimes affected the development of C. carnea from egg to adult. In complete darkness (L: 0 D: 24), minimum egg laying, hatching, larval survival and adult emergence were recorded. Incubation period for eggs, larval period and pupal duration were also significantly longer in complete darkness as compared to other treatments 8L: 16D and 10L: 14D. Whereas, the treatment with complete light hours (L: 24, D: 0) resulted in maximum egg laying hatching, larval survival and adult emergence. The incubation period for eggs, larval and pupal duration significantly shortened as compared to other treatments.Sex ratios skewed towards female when full light hours were provided for development.

The current study presents the cellar spiders genus Nita Huber & El-Hennawy, 2007 (Araneae, Pholcidae) as the first record for Iraq spider fauna, this genus represented by the species Nita elsaff Huber & El-Hennawy, 2007 were identified based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequence data. A short morphological description is also presented for cellar spiders listed in Iraq; including this species in addition to Artema Atlanta Walckenaer, 1837.