In this research, biophenology, life cycle, and host association of the whitefly Trialeurodes lauri (Signoret, 1882) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), recorded for the first time in Azerbaijan, were studied. Research was conducted in 20172024 at the Applied Zoology Center (Institute of Zoology, MSERA), under the environmental conditions of Baku and the Absheron Peninsula. Field observations and laboratory analyses were used to examine seasonal development, population density, and life stages, while morphological features of the egg, and larval stages were studied using a JCM-6000 SEM. The results showed that adult emergence from pseudopupa occurs from late April to early May, depending on temperature. Larvae pass through four instars; the imago and first instar larvae are motile, whereas later instars are sessile and remain attached to the underside of leaves. Population density has been determined to be 150300 pseudopupa (L4) per leaf. Although T. lauri is oligophagous, it has only been detected on Laurus nobilis L. (Laurales: Lauraceae) in Absheron. The species completes one generation per year and undergoes a prolonged diapause lasting about nine months. The presence of T. lauri in neighboring countries (T & uuml;rkiye, Iran, and Russia) indicates a potential risk of further spread and impact on border regions.
The speckled cockroach, Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivier, 1789) (Blattodea: Blaberidae), is a common live feed source for reptiles, amphibians, insectivorous birds, and predatory invertebrates due to its high nutritional value. On 26 July 2025, adult individuals obtained from a pet shop in Ankara were brought to the laboratory, and shortly thereafter, they exhibited pink feces, signs of decomposition, and mass mortality. Light microscopy of suspensions prepared from the cadavers revealed bacterial cells, which were subsequently cultured on LB agar. The colonies appeared dark red, and Gram staining indicated that the bacterium was Gram-negative with a bacillus morphology. Blastn analysis of the 16S rRNA gene region of the isolated bacterium confirmed its identity as Serratia marcescens J (Enterobacterales: Yersiniaceae) with 100% similarity. Phylogenetic analysis placed it in the same cluster as another isolate reported from T & uuml;rkiye (accession number: KX959982.1), supported by a bootstrap value of 80%. Adult female N. cinerea individuals were experimentally infected with five different doses of S. marcescens (1 & times; 105-1 & times; 109 cfu/mL). After fourteen days, the highest dose resulted in 80% mortality, and the LD50 was calculated as 9.84 & times; 105 cfu/mL. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the isolation of S. marcescens from the live feed N. cinerea and its high virulence in these insects. The findings highlight potential mass mortality events in the live feed trade, emphasizing economic losses, zoonotic and pathogenic risks, and the critical importance of hygiene and biosecurity measures.
Neognopharmia Wehrli, 1953 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae), comprises three species in the Palearctic Region. In this comprehensive morphological study, variations in adult morphology, male genitalia, aedeagus and 8th sternite of Neognopharmia stevenaria (Boisduval, 1840) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae) are described on males collected between 2001 and 2025 from 10 provinces (Antalya, Isparta, Adana, Hatay, Ni & gbreve;de, Sivas, Denizli, U & scedil;ak, Malatya and & Scedil;anl & imath;urfa) from different geographical regions in the Asian part of T & uuml;rkiye. The genital preparations of the collected male specimens were prepared in the entomology laboratory of Hatay Mustafa Kemal University. Diagnostic characters are depicted and males and their genitalia are illustrated. The number and size of the sclerotized teeth in the ventral arm of the valva vary among the examined specimens. The aedeagus exhibits consistency across specimens from all provinces. The structure of sternum A8 is similar in all examined specimens. Neognopharmia stevenaria has been recorded for the first time from the provinces of Antalya, Isparta, Ni & gbreve;de, Sivas, Denizli, U & scedil;ak, and & Scedil;anl & imath;urfa, thus expanding its previously known distribution range in T & uuml;rkiye.
The green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a globally significant agricultural pest responsible for extensive crop damage through direct feeding and virus transmission. Long-term exposure to organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CB) insecticides has led to the evolution of resistance mechanisms, particularly mutations in the acetylcholinesterase gene (ace-2). Among these, the S431F substitution, known as the Modified Acetylcholinesterase (MACE) mutation, confers reduced sensitivity to dimethylcarbamate insecticides, such as pirimicarb. This study, conducted between April 2024 and July 2025, aimed to detect and quantify the frequency of the S431F mutation in M. persicae populations collected from nine major peach-growing provinces of Türkiye using the PCR-RFLP technique. A total of 360 individuals were genotyped, revealing 15 homozygous resistant (RR), 131 heterozygous resistant (RS), and 214 homozygous susceptible (SS) individuals. The overall resistant allele frequency was 22.36%, with the highest rates observed in Niğde (17%), İzmir (15%), and Aydın (5%). Regionally, the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Marmara Regions exhibited similar resistance frequencies (22.8%, 22.5%, and 21.3%, respectively). These results indicate that resistance to OP/CB insecticides may be in its early stage of development, or that previously high resistance levels may have decreased. Continued molecular surveillance and region-specific IPM programs should be applied to delay the spread of resistance.
Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a major agricultural pest, and excessive insecticide use has reduced susceptibility in many populations, making resistance monitoring essential for effective resistance management. In this study, LC50 values of B. tabaci populations collected in 2022 from the Mediterranean Region of T & uuml;rkiye (Antalya, Mersin, Adana, and Hatay) were determined using the leaf-dip method for flupyradifurone, acetamiprid, and sulfoxaflor. Resistance ratios were calculated relative to the susceptible SUD-S strain. LC50 values ranged from 1.16-6.92 mg (a.i.)/L for flupyradifurone, 7.06-43.39 mg (a.i.)/L for acetamiprid, and 0.96-72.68 mg (a.i.)/L for sulfoxaflor, with corresponding resistance ratios of 6.79-39.2 9, 38.2-234.5, and 3.83-290.7-fold. Resistance levels were low to high for flupyradifurone, high to very high for acetamiprid, and low to very high for sulfoxaflor. Given the high acetamiprid resistance, its use should be minimized, while rotation of sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone with other modes of action is recommended. Although flupyradifurone is relatively new, the observed reduction in susceptibility highlights the need to investigate potential cross-resistance and underlying mechanisms.
This study, conducted in 2025 at the laboratory of sustainable management of natural resources in arid and semi-arid areas, Na & acirc;ma, Algeria, aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, contact toxicity, and repellency of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) essential oil (SREO) from Algeria against two major stored-grain pests, Lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and Red flour beetle, Tribolium (23.13%), alpha-pinene (8.75%), and beta-pinene (6.43%) as the dominant compounds. In contact bioassays, SREO induced concentration-dependent mortality, with LC50 values of 16.2 & micro;L/mL for R. dominica and 28.5 & micro;L/mL for T. castaneum. Repellency assays showed strong concentration- and time-dependent avoidance, reaching 76.5% and 74.5% repellency at 16 & micro;L/mL for R. dominica and T. castaneum, respectively classifying SREO as Class IV repellent. The higher susceptibility of R. dominica underscores species-specific responses. These results highlight SREO as a promising botanical agent for eco-friendly management of stored-product insects.
Edible mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that may influence growth and reproduction in model organisms, yet organism-level effects of Lactarius deliciosus S.F. Gray (Russulales: Russulaceae) remain unstudied. This work examines how dietary inclusion of L. deliciosus collected from & Ccedil;orum, T & uuml;rkiye in 2025 affects development and reproduction in Oregon R Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Flies were reared on standard medium supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% mushroom powder. Life-history traits assessed included larval development time, pupal viability, adult emergence rate and timing, fecundity, and egg hatchability. Statistical analyses used one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD (alpha=0.05) with effect sizes reported as eta squared. Dietary supplementation with L. deliciosus produced significant, concentration-dependent effects. Larval development time showed the strongest response (eta(2)=0.361, p<0.001), with 0.5% and 1.0% groups developing faster than control, while 2.0% showed delayed development. Pupal viability (q2=0.292, p<0.006) and adult emergence rate (eta(2)=0.272, p<0.009) improved at lower concentrations but declined at 2.0%. Reproductive traits peaked at 0.5%: fecundity (eta(2)=0.292, p<0.006) and egg hatchability (eta(2)=0.306, p<0.004). This biphasic dose-response pattern, enhancing performance at lower concentrations while reducing it at 2.0%, is consistent with hormesis.
The study evaluated Ichneumonidae specimens collected from provinces in the & Ccedil;oruh Valley during 2024-2025, with 11 species representing Banchinae Wesmeal, 1845; Cryptinae Kirby, 1837; Diplazontinae Viereck, 1918 and Phygadeontinae F & ouml;rster, 1869 were identified. Among these species, Brachypimpla brachyura Strobl, 1902; Lissonota bistrigata Gravenhorst, 1829; Schenkia graminicola (Gravenhorst, 1829) and Syrphoctonus fissorius (Gravenhorst, 1829) are recorded for the first time from T & uuml;rkiye. Gambrus incubitor (L., 1758) and Mesoleptus laticinctus (Walker, 1874) are new records for Eastern Anatolia. In addition, digital photographs of these species were also taken, along with information on theirzoogeographic distribution, distribution in T & uuml;rkiye, sample numbers, collection locations, hosts and the plants they visited.
The pear lace bug, Stephanitis pyri (Fabricius, 1775) (Hemiptera: Tingidae), is an economically important pest of pome fruit trees. This study was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions to determine the insecticidal efficacy of Detech (R) WP 95 against the nymphal instars and adults of S. pyri. Experiment was carried out on apple, Malus domestica Borkh. (Rosales: Rosaceae) leaves using aqueous DE suspensions at three concentrations (2.5, 5, and 10 g/m2), and mortality was recorded daily from the first to the fifth day after treatment. 100% mortality was achieved within 24h in all treatments with 1st nymphal instars, indicating a high susceptibility of early instar nymphs to DE exposure. In the 5th nymphal instar, at a rate of 2.5 g/m2, mortality increased from 70 to 100% on the third and fifth day, respectively. At 5 g/m2, mortality was 80% on the second day and 100% on the third day of the treatment. Overall, mortality was positively correlated with both exposure time and DE concentration. Lethal time (LT50) value for adults at the lowest concentration was 1.29 days, which was lower than that of fifth-instar nymphs (2.56 days). In conclusion, DE shows significant toxicity against S. pyri and highlights its potential as a natural insecticidal agent in integrated pest management programs.
Planococcus ficus (Signoret, 1875) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) is considered as an important pest of vineyards in T & uuml;rkiye. Control methods for P. ficus worldwide are often based on using insecticides. However, due to the cryptic lifestyle of P. ficus, reasons such as its presence under the bark, its body being covered with a waxy layer, and the inappropriate timing of insecticide use often cause insecticides to fail to perform as expected. Therefore, using alternative pest control methods can be more effective in P. ficus management. Mating disruption (MD) is a commercially available and environmentally sustainable control method for P. ficus. This study was conducted in the Aegean Region, which covers a total of 30% of T & uuml;rkiye's grape production areas. Field trials were conducted in Manisa, over 3 years by monitoring the mealybug population in table grape vineyards managed with MD and in a control (Non-MD) plot. In this study, pheromonebased mating disruption was applied in an open-field design using a sprayable microencapsulated pheromone (Check-Mate VMB- F) at 12.4-74.4 g of active ingredients per ha through the season. Trap catches and bunch damage in the MD plot were far lower than in the Non-MD plot. In 2019, 2020, and 2021, crop damage rates were 12.3%, 3%, and 2.3% in the MD plot, respectively, while they were 56%, 37%, and 41% in the Non-MD plot. The results of the 3-year study have shown that MD can be used safely in integrated pest management to control vine mealybug in the vineyards of the Aegean region.
Cockroaches are significant pests that act as vectors for many disease agents, and the indiscriminate use of insecticides has led to widespread resistance development in these species. This study, conducted at Karamano & gbreve;lu Mehmetbey University between 2023 and 2024, aimed to determine the toxic effects of thiamethoxam on German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae) populations and to investigate the responses of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). The field populations (Dokuma, Konyaalt & imath;, and Ahatl & imath;) generally exhibited low levels of resistance to thiamethoxam at a range of 1.88-3.24-fold compared to the susceptible World Health Organization (WHO) strain. The WHO group showed the lowest AChE activity before and after thiamethoxam exposure compared to the field groups (p< 0.05). The most significant decrease in AChE activity was observed in the WHO group at 25%, while the decrease in the Ahatl & imath; group was more limited, remaining at 13%. GST activity in the susceptible WHO strain was lower than that of field strains, and the difference was significant. Thiamethoxam-treated Dokuma and Konyaalt & imath; groups exhibited the highest GST activity alterations (44%). However, Ahatl & imath; showed the highest GST activity after the thiamethoxam administration. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) confirmed the WHO groups were most biochemically differentiated. Analyzing enzymatic biomarkers contributes to more comprehensive insights into the toxicodynamic characteristics of thiamethoxam.
In this study, the post-larval (female) stage of Abrolophus bochkovi Hakimitabar, Saboori & Fadaei, 2020, previously known only from the larval stage, is described for the first time through experimental laboratory rearing. Larval specimens from T & uuml;rkiye and Iran were compared to confirm the species identification. In addition, detailed drawings, photographs, and morphometric data are provided for the female of this species. With this contribution, the number of Abrolophus species described from both larval and post-larval stages increases to four. The present study was conducted at Erzincan Binali Y & imath;ld & imath;r & imath;m University between 2023 and 2025.
Allium cepa L. (Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae) is an essential crop for human nutrition. Besides its nutritional properties, it holds an important place due to its immune-boosting effects. The effect of green manure treatments with three biofumigant plant species for controlling plant-parasitic nematodes, which cause economic losses in onion production, has been investigated. Forage turnip, Brassica rapa L. (Brassicales: Brassicaceae), brown mustard, Brassica juncea (L.) Hook.f. & Thomson (Brassicales: Brassicaceae) and common vetch, Vicia sativa L. (Fabales: Fabaceae) were grown before onion production and incorporated into the soil in May-June in the study undertaken in a grower field in Karaman Province in 2021-2024. Total plant-parasitic nematode numbers were between 0-270.9 nematodes/100 g dry soil in green manure treatments. Ditylenchus dipsaci (K & uuml;hn, 1857) Filipjev, 1936 (Rhabditida: Anguinidae) (35%), & Malek, 1968 (Rhabditida: Dolicodoridae) (8%) and Helicotylenchus spp. Steiner, 1945 (Rhabditida: Hoplolaimidae) (3%) were the plant parasitic nematodes. The most abundant plant parasitic nematodes were Ditylenchus dipsaci and Pratylenchus spp. Nematode populations did not differ by green manure treatments while they were affected by precipitation and varied among growing years.
This study evaluated the efficacy of six selected endophytic bacteria both against the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say, 1824) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and potential impact on potato plant growth. The bacterial isolates, selected based on prior activities, were tested in in vivo pot trials against L. decemlineata larvae. Their influence on plant growth was also measured under both pest-infested and pest-free conditions. The experiments were conducted between 2022 and 2024 under controlled growth chamber conditions at the Plant Protection Department of Ege University's Faculty of Agriculture. Bacterial applications caused corrected larval mortality rates of 21.87-56.25% compared to the untreated control. The most effective isolate, Chryseobacterium gleum (Holmes et al.) Vandamme et al. (Flavobacteriales: Weeksellaceae) (6), caused 56.25% mortality and exhibited significantly high proteolytic activity. These results demonstrate that the selected endophytic bacteria can significantly reduce L. decemlineata populations and enhance plant growth, showcasing their potential as dual-action biocontrol agents in potato cultivation.
The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (St & aring;l, 1885) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive quarantine pest that has spread rapidly worldwide and in T & uuml;rkiye in recent years, causing significant damage to agricultural products. In this study, conducted in 2025, nymphs and adults of H. halys were collected from hazelnut orchards in Trabzon province, brought to the laboratory and cultured. As a result of the study, Megaselia scalaris (Loew, 1866) (Diptera: Phoridae) was reared from nymphs and adults of H. halys. The present study reports M. scalaris as a parasitoid of the H. halys for the first time. In addition to several biological observations regarding the parasitoid-host relationship, information on the parasitoid's distribution in T & uuml;rkiye and worldwide, as well as its known hosts, is provided with support from the relevant literature. Further studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of this parasitoid as a biological control agent.
Almond, Prunus dulcis Rouchy (Rosales: Rosaceae) is an economically important plant species widely grown in T & uuml;rkiye. Plant parasitic nematodes have been known to affect the economical production of almond. In this study, the occurrence and abundance of plant parasitic and free-living nematodes were determined in almond-growing areas in Karaman province in 2024. The soil samples were collected from 40 almond orchards and two wild almond production areas. Each orchard was represented by 20 subsamples collected in a zigzag pattern with 20-25 footsteps in between using a 2.5 cm diameter soil corer from the projection area of the trees. The nematodes were extracted from soil samples using petri dish technique for 72 hours. The most prevalent plant parasitic nematodes were Ditylenchus spp. Filipjev, 1936 (Rhabditida: Anguinidae) (97.6%), Tylenchus spp. Bastian, 1865 (Rhabditida: Tylenchidae) (88.1%) and Pratylenchus spp. Filipjev, 1936 (Rhabditida: Pratylenchidae) (83.3%). The populations of most prevalent nematode species Ditylenchus spp. and Pratylenchus spp. ranged between 0-143.9 and 0-197.4 nematodes per 100 g dry soil, respectively. The population of bacterivorous nematode Cephalobus spp. Bastian, 1865 (Rhabditida: Cephalobidae) was positively correlated with 10-year-old, seed rootstocks almonds cultivated under rainfed conditions.
The banded greenhouse thrips, Hercinothrips femoralis (Reuter, 1891) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a tropical-origin species that has been identified on fruits, vegetables, ornamental and industrial crops in certain regions, such as Africa, the Americas, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. This study aimed to provide essential data on the biology and management of H. femoralis. The research was conducted in 2024 at Plant Protection Department Laboratory of Akdeniz University. The H. femoralis population was maintained as a stock culture on green bean pods. Experiments were conducted at 25 +/- 1 degrees C, with 65 +/- 10% relative humidity and a 16:8 h photoperiod. Results indicated a total development time from egg to adult was 20.82 days. Development time of the egg, first instar, second instar, prepupa, and pupa stages were 9.0, 2.85, 4.0, 1.41, and 3.56 days, respectively. The total adult longevity was 74.88 days, and the mean fecundity was 132.62 offspring per female. In feeding tests, adults caused characteristic damage on bean, pepper, cucumber, and banana fruits. respectively. Life table parameters indicated that H. femoralis can reproduce easily under suitable climates and hosts, causing significant economic losses. In laboratory bioassay the recommended doses of spinosad and abamectin caused 100% and 94% mortality in H. femoralis, respectively. The high efficacy of spinosad and abamectin against H. femoralis demonstrated in this study could be considered in the development of chemical control strategies.
The silkworm, Bombyx mori L., 1758 (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) has been cultivated in Turkiye for many years as a valuable source of income. However, fungal diseases can have a devastating impact on silkworm farming. In August 2024, numerous hardened, dead silkworm larvae were discovered in a B. mori culture in Istanbul and subsequently taken to a laboratory for examination. Microscopic examination revealed that the source of the infection was a fungus with spherical conidia. DNA was extracted from the cultured fungus, and the ITS gene was amplified and sequenced. According to the sequencing results, the fungus was identified as Aspergillus flavus Link (Eurotiales: Aspergillaceae). Phylogenetic analyses showed that it was closely related to the Chinese isolates. In the bioassay, five doses of A. flavus (1 x 10(3) to 1 x 10(7) conidia/mL(-1)) were sprayed on 30 5(th) instar B. mori larvae. On the 10(th) day of application, 100% mortality was observed at the highest dose (1 x 10(7) conidia/mL(-1)). The LD50 was calculated to be 3.32 x 10(3) conidia/mL(-1). Aspergillus flavus poses a significant threat to both B. mori and other organisms, as it causes aspergillosis and produces aflatoxin. This study provides the first evidence of A. flavus infection in B. mori in T & uuml;rkiye, demonstrating that the larvae are highly susceptible to this fungus. The findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring and the implementation of effective antifungal control strategies to protect silkworm health and sustain sericulture productivity.
This study investigated the effectiveness of two molecular markers-the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and the internal transcribed spacer II (ITS2) region-in delineating species boundaries in insects. While COI is widely used in insect taxonomy to define species boundaries, ITS2 has been less frequently tested. A total of 25 individuals from the genus Chrysolina (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), distributed across T & uuml;rkiye, were analysed. Molecular analyses were conducted in 2017 at the Molecular Systematics Laboratory of the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, and data analyses were completed in 2025. Using a Bayesian approach, they examined phylogenetic tree topology and species monophyly based on each marker and combined datasets. This marks the first comparative study of COI and ITS2 within Chrysolina species in T & uuml;rkiye. Results showed that both markers supported morphological distinctions at the molecular level. All species formed monophyletic groups in trees constructed from COI, ITS2, and combined datasets. These findings suggest that the ITS2 may be as effective as the COI in evaluating genetic diversity and identifying species. The study highlights the potential of ITS2 as a reliable molecular marker in insect taxonomy and enhances understanding of species boundaries within the genus Chrysolina.
In this study, the efficacy of two local isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Beauveria bassiana (Bals.- Criv.) Vuill. (GOPT-DYYLD, BBE2) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and one isolate of Metarhizium brunneum (Petch) (ORP-13) (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) against the second instar larvae of the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was determined. The study was conducted in 2023 at the Entomology Laboratory, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University. As positive controls, the commercial preparation of B. bassiana strain Bb-1 and 120 g/L Spinetoram were used. The EPF isolates were evaluated in dose-mortality assays at concentrations ranging from 1x103 to 1x109 conidia/mL-1. The EPF isolates were evaluated using two different methods: Topical application bioassays and foliar spray application bioassays. In topical application bioassays, at a dose of 1x108 conidia/mL-1 on the 5th day, GOPT-DYYLD caused 69.8% mortality, BBE2 45.8%, ORP-13 29.2%, while B. bassiana strain Bb-1 caused 72.9% mortality and 120 g/L Spinetoram caused 96.9% mortality. In foliar spray application bioassays, at a dose of 1x108 conidia/mL-1 on the 5th day, GOPT-DYYLD caused 76.04% mortality, BBE2 54.2%, and ORP-13 24.5%. Promising results were obtained in the control of tomato leaf miner using the GOPT-DYYLD and BBE2 isolates.
