Bahattin Kovanci

AN ANNOTATED LIST OF THE GREEN LACEWINGS (NEUROPTERA: CHRYSOPIDAE) OF NORTHWESTERN TURKEY, WITH NEW RECORDS, THEIR SPATIO-TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION, AND HARBORING PLANTS

ABSTRACT The occurrence and distribution of green lacewing species (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) were studied in northwestern Turkey in 1992-2005. A total of 3529 green lacewing adults were collected from 154 localities, representing 23 species. Among these, 21 species belonged to the subfamily Chrysopinae, while only two species were members of the subfamily Nothochrysinae. Four species were new records for northwestern Turkey. The most frequently caught species were Chrysoperla carnea sensu lato and Dichochrysa prasina, with percent dominance values of 26.10 and 18.22%, respectively. The cumulative number of chrysopid species was highest during July with a total of 18 species per month. There were 13, 20, 19 and one chrysopid species occurring at altitudes between 1-500, 501-1000, 1001-1500 and >1500 m species, respectively. Rexa raddai, was recorded at altitudes higher than 500 m, namely 925 m, for the first time. In addition, plant species harboring chrysopids are provided for each species and their association with the chrysopid fauna is discussed.

Species composition, seasonal dynamics and numerical responses of arthropod predators in organic strawberry fields

Abstract The species composition and relative abundance of predatory arthropod fauna were studied in organic strawberry fields in northwestern Turkey using sweep net sampling and pitfall trapping (activity density). Arachnida constituted 13.1 and 11.5% of the sweep net and pitfall trap catches, respectively. Among the predatory insects, the most abundant groups were Heteroptera (26.7%), Diptera (25.9%), Coleoptera (16.9%) and Orthoptera (10.8%) in sweep net samples. Coleoptera (84.2%) dominated the pitfall trap catches. Many aphid specific and polyphagous predators reached peak abundance during June and July. Pearsons two-tailed correlations showed a significant and positive relationship between syrphid, coccinellid or chrysopid predator numbers and strawberry aphid density. Aphid density was not significantly correlated with carabid or with nabid abundance. Examination of spatial distribution patterns of all predatory arthropod groups using Taylors Power Law indicated that most arthropod predators, except carabids, exhibited aggregated dispersion patterns. Coccinellids changed their spatial patterns from a uniform to an aggregated distribution through the season. There was also a significant linear correlation between Anterastes sp. abundance (larvae+adults) and Isophya rectipennis+Poecilimon ricteri (larvae+adults) density at both locations. We observed, for the first time, Anterastes preying on Isophya and Poecilimon species. The seasonal abundance of the major predatory groups were described, and their potential importance in controlling strawberry aphid and other pests is discussed.

A new species of the genus Nothochrysa McLachlan 1868 from northwestern Turkey (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) with a key to western Palaearctic species

Abstract A new species of Nothochrysa McLachlan, N. turcicus n. sp. is described from Turkey and a key to west Palaearctic species is given for the adults of the three recognized species. Adults of this species were collected from Quercus cerris L. in Bursa province of northwestern Turkey.

The brown lacewings (Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae) of northwestern Turkey with new records, their spatio-temporal distribution and harbouring plants

The brown lacewings (Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae) of northwestern Turkey with new records, their spatio-temporal distribution and harbouring plants. The occurrence and spatio-temporal distribution of brown lacewing species (Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae) in Bursa province, northwestern Turkey, was investigated during 1999-2011. A total of 852 brown lacewing specimens of 20 species, including the genera of Hemerobius, Megalomus, Micromus, Sympherobius, and Wesmaelius were collected. Of these, 12 species were new records for northwestern Turkey while Sympherobius klapaleki is a new record for the Neuroptera fauna of Turkey. The most widespread species were Hemerobius handschini and Sympherobius pygmaeus with percent dominance values of 42.00 and 15.96%, respectively. Wesmaelius subnebulosus was the earliest emerging hemerobiid species and had the longest flight activity lasting from March to October. The species of southern origin characterized by the Mediterranean elements constituted 55% of the hemerobiid fauna and prevailed over the species of northern origin that belong to the Siberian centres. The total number of hemerobiid species reached a peak in July with captures of 15 species per month. There were 11, 13, 18 and 5 hemerobiid species occurring at altitudes between 1-500, 501-1000, 1001-1500 and 1500-2000 m, respectively. In addition, plant species harbouring hemerobiids are given for each species, and their association with the hemerobiid fauna is discussed.