Determination and population fluctuations of Cicadellidae (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha) species in pomegranate orchards in Aydin Province, Turkey

Abstract

Many Cicadellidae (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha) species may reach high populations in fruit orchards. Cicadellids can cause damage not only by sucking plant sap, but also by transmitting detrimental plant pathogens, which may become more important in many cases. It was aimed to determine Cicadellidae species and population fluctuations of common species in pomegranate orchards in Aydin (Nazilli, Karacasu) province in Turkey. Studies were conducted in two pomegranate orchards through 2009-2010. Samplings were done with two yellow sticky traps and by sweep net with 100-sweep-collection on weeds in each orchard. Additionally, cicadellids were collected by shaking one branch of each tree and 20 trees in total in each orchard. Cicadellidae species and their populations were therefore investigated both on trees and weeds in orchards. As a result, 19 cicadellid species were found in orchards. Of these species, Docotettix cornutus Ribaut, Fieberiella anategea Meyer-Arndt, Asymmetrasca decedens (Paoli)+Empoasca decipiens Paoli and Zyginidia pullula (Boheman) were common on the trees and A. decedens (Paoli)+E. decipiens Paoli, Cicadulina bipunctella (Matsumura), Macrosteles quadripunctulatus (Kirschbaum) were common on the weeds in the orchards. Fieberiella anategea and D. cornutus populations reached high levels in JulyNovember on yellow sticky traps in 2009, but remain low during 2010. Asymmetresca decedens + E. decipiens populations reached high levels in May-June and October in 2009 and 2010. On the other hand, Z. pullula population stayed at a very low level in the years 2009 and 2010.