Life table of Delphastus catalinae (Horn) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on cotton whitefly,Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) as prey

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Developmental time, longevity and fecundity of Delphastus catalinae (Horn), a predator of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), were evaluated under laboratory...     

The effect of season on the levels of predation by the ladybird <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serangium parcesetosum</Emphasis> Sicard (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on the cotton whitefly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis> (Genn.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), a serious pest of eggplants

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a serious pest of eggplants, especially those grown undercover in polytunnels and greenhouses. Due to increasing levels of resistance of B. tabaci to a wide range of insecticides, there is now an urgent need to explore other non-chemical methods of control. In this study, Serangium parcesetosum, a ladybird, was evaluated as a possible biological control agent of B. tabaci’s winter and spring populations which infests eggplants grown undercover in Turkey. It was found that in winter, S. parcesetosum failed to control B. tabaci, even when the ladybird population was augmented six times over the course of the experiment. This contrasted with that observed in spring when, with only one introduction of the ladybird, control of the pest was gained within 3 weeks after release. In spring, the B. tabaci population in the cages receiving two and four S. parcesetosum adult per plant showed 56 and 53% reduction, respectively. The percent reduction in B. tabaci population rose to 98.6 and 98.3% in both cages, respectively, by the end of experiment. It is suggested that release of S. parcesetosum against B. tabaci during spring months may be offered as an alternative solution to increase implementation of biologically based B. tabaci management. In winter other biological control agents are needed and these need to be further explored.     

Predicting the number of nymphal instars plus new-generation adults of the Sunn Pest from overwintered adult densities and parasitism rates

The present study evaluated the effect of overwintered adult density and egg and adult parasitism rates on the new-generation population densities of the Sunn Pest (Eurygaster integriceps Put.) under field conditions. We quantified the abundance of overwintered adult densities and egg and adult parasitism rates in 20 one-ha unsprayed wheat fields in southeastern Turkey to assess their impact on nymphal instars, plus new-generation adult densities. The number of overwintered adults per square meter and the percent of egg parasitism rates were positively and negatively correlated with new-generation densities of the Sunn Pest, respectively. The results of multiple regression analysis produced the equation Y = 15.037 + 8.287 OW (overwintered adult) − 0.235 egg PR (parasitism rate). The findings suggest that the egg parasitoids may suppress nymphal instars plus new-generation adult densities of the Sunn Pest. The findings also suggest that the present formula can be used to determine the spraying areas in which densities reach economic threshold for the integrated Sunn Pest management program in wheat fields in Turkey.     

Morphology, chemical properties, and radiocarbon dating of eutrophic peat in Turkey

Morphologies, classifications, chemical properties and radiocarbon dates of Akgöl–Sakarya peatland located in the northwestern part of Turkey, which has never been studied up to now, were investigated. Three representative profiles were excavated in the study area and soil samples were taken based on soil horizons. Additionally, soil samples were taken at the different depths in each profile for radiocarbon dating. Accretion rates changed between 1.40 and 1.69 mm year^− 1 according to ¹⁴C measurements. Radiocarbon ages ranged between 365 ± 90 and 195 ± 50 years depending on sampling depth. Profile I was Sapric Haplohemist, profile II was Hydric Haplohemist and profile III was Typic Haplosaprist. Soil properties varied widely depending on the profiles. Fibre contents were between 9.4% and 34.7% due to degree of organic matter decomposition. pH and ECe values varied between 4.20–6.62 and 0.51–2.50 dS m⁻¹, respectively. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranged from 100 to 140 cmol kg⁻¹. Total nitrogen and phosphorus ranged from 0.78% to 1.82% and from 0.45% to1.03%, respectively. Total calcium contents were between 1.44% to 3.25%, and magnesium contents varied from 0.22 to 0.71%. Both nutrients were higher in the surface horizons of profiles I and II. Total Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B contents varied considerably among profiles. It was found that total amounts of Fe, Zn, Cu and B in samples were between 4660–16220 mg kg^− 1, 89–451 mg kg^− 1, 16–57 mg kg^− 1, 3–11 mg kg^− 1 and 12–37 mg kg^− 1, respectively. Cr, Ni and Pb contents in peat samples were 22–55 mg kg^− 1, 24–58 mg kg^− 1, and 3–93 mg kg^− 1, respectively. However, there was no Cd and Hg detected. It was observed that seasonal ground water fluctuations, eutrophic formation and differences in decomposition degrees have a substantial effect on changing of morphological and chemical properties of organic soils in the study area.     

Current status of red palm weevil in Turkey

The red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) is the most serious pest of palms in Turkey. Weevil infestation was first detected in Turkey in summer 2005 in parks and gardens of Mersin province, along the Mediterreanean coast of Turkey. Following the discovery of the pest, destruction of infested plant material, prophylactic insecticide chemical treatments, as well as adult weevil trapping were carried out on palm plantations. Traps containing a commercial aggregation pheromone were hung on palm trees at a high density, in order to monitor the pest infestation and reduce the weevil population by mass trapping. A significant decrease in the number of trapped beetles and destruction of infested plant material was observed in 2009 and continued in the following years in several cities in Turkey. Therefore, it has been observed that mass trapping and curative pesticide applications have played a significant role in the suppression of R. ferrugineus populations in palm plantations.