Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910 (Hemiptera Coreidae) in Türkiye Its distribution, life cycle, and fungal associations

Abstract

In this study, the distribution, life cycle and associations with fungi of the alien invasive species Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910 (Hemiptera: Coreidae) in Türkiye were investigated. During the study between 2019 and 2021, we found that the pest has spread almost all over Türkiye. We recorded the presence of the species in 35 provinces. The biological data obtained in the study were divided into ecologically similar sub-regions (Ankara-Çankırı-Kırşehir, Artvin, Isparta-Burdur, Izmir-Aydın-Manisa-Muğla-Antalya) in order to reveal the life cycle of the species. Additionally, host plant and insect samples were examined for the presence of Diplodia sapinea (Fr.) Fuckel (pine shoot blight agent) and entomopathogenic fungi species through morphological and molecular identification methods. Consequently, we found that L. occidentalis has two generations in Türkiye. Timing of the first flight was in early May-mid June and the second generation was from mid-July to late August. Although D. sapinea was detected in some of the sampled host plant tissues, it could not be isolated from L. occidentalis individuals. Accordingly, we did not find any evidence that L. occidentalis vectors D. sapinea although the insect and the fungus cooccurs in sampling areas. On the other hand, its vector potential cannot be ruled out especially during rainy periods. This potential remains as a hypothesis for future studies. Although we detected 25 fungal species isolated from L. occidentalis adults, none of them were entomopathogenic fungal species.