Erdem Hızal

Two Invasive Alien Insect Species, Leptoglossus occidentals (Heteroptera: Coreidae) and Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), and their Distribution and Host Plants in Istanbul Province, Turkey

ABSTRACT Leptoglossus occidentalis (Heidemann, 1910) and Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) are alien insect species which have invaded Turkey. Leptoglossus occidentalis was recorded for the first time in Istanbul (Turkey) in 2009 and Cydalima perspectalis was recorded there for the first time in 2011. We examined the distribution of these two invasive alien insect species, and their host plants, in Istanbul province of Turkey. Leptoglossus occidentalis was observed in Istanbul Province on Pinus nigra, Pinus pinea, Pinus radiata and Abies concolor. Cydalima perspectalis was recorded only on Buxus sempervirens and B. sempervirens cv ‘aureavariegata’ in Istanbul Province, and severe damage was inflicted on these cultivars.

The Western Conifer Seed Bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis (Heidemann, 1910), recorded in Turkey (Heteroptera: Coreidae).

The Western Conifer Seed Bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis (Heidemann, 1910), is an invasive alien species of North American (Mexico, the United States, and Canada) origin (HRADIL 2008, SIMOV 2008). In Europe, it was first found in Italy in 1999 (BERNARDINELLI & ZANDIGIACOMO 2001, TAYLOR et al. 2001, TESCARI 2001). From there, it quickly expanded its range to western and eastern Europe, and within the last ten years or so has colonised e.g. Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, England, and Spain (e.g. KMENT & BA A 2008, LIS et al. 2008, RABITSCH 2008). It was recently recorded in Montenegro in 2008 (HRADIL 2008) and Bulgaria in 2008 (SIMOV 2008). L. occidentalis may be transported with Christmas trees, in shipments of corn and possibly with landscaping materials or by transcontinental shipping. It is probably able to move into commercial pine plantations because of its strong flight ability (TAYLOR et al. 2001). In its natural habitat, the nymphs and adults spend the summer on pines and other coniferous trees, approximately 40 species of conifers, with a preference for Pinaceae (Pinus strobus, P. resinosa, P. sylvestris, P. ponderosa, P. nigra, P. mugo, P.contorta, P. halepensis) and Douglasfir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). It has also been observed on Abies, Cedrus, Picea and Juniperus, and non-coniferous plants including citrus (Citrus sp.) and pistachio (Pistacia vera)

Bruchidius terrenus and Bruchidius siliquastri (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) — First Records for Turkey

ABSTRACT Albizia julibrissin Durazz and Cercis siliquastrum L. (Fabales: Fabaceae) are native to Turkey and used as ornamentals. We studied the seed beetles Bruchidius terrenus (Sharp) and B. siliquastri Delobel (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), which infest the seeds of A. julibrissin and C. siliquastrum, respectively, and their parasitoids. We recorded both bruchines from Turkey for the first time. We also found Dinarmus acutus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) as a parasitoid of both B. terrenus and B. siliquastri.

The new record for Turkish invasive alien insect fauna Anoplophora chinensis (Forster, 1771) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Gelisen ulasim yollari sayesinde uluslararasi ticaret hizli bir sekilde artmaktadir. Bunun sonucu olarak kitalarin ve ulkelerin arasindaki dogal engeller ortadan kalkmis ve pek cok canli turunun yasam alanlarindan baska yerlere tasinmasi kolaylasmistir. Bu canlilar arasinda bocekler onemli bir yer tutmaktadir. Dogal yasam alanlarinda bocek populasyonlari pek cok etmen ile denge halindedir. Ancak bulunduklari alanlardan canli bitki ve agac malzeme ticareti (ithalat-ihracat) ile baska yerlere tasinmalari durumunda onemli sorunlara neden olabilmektedirler. Yeni yerlesim alanlarinda istilaci yabanci bocekler olarak nitelendirilen bu turlerin ortak ozellikleri arasinda hizli buyume ve ureme, yuksek yayilma yetenegi, cok degisik cevresel kosullara tolerans, pek cok bitki turu ile beslenebilme yer almaktadir. Son yillarda artan bitki ve agac malzeme ithalati bu turlerin Turkiye’de siklikla gorulmesine neden olmaktadir. Bu arastirma ile Anoplophora chinensis (Forster, 1771) (Coleoptera; Cerambycidae) Turkiye istilaci yabanci bocek faunasina yeni bir kayit olarak verilmektedir.

Diet of the Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, in Central Anatolia (Aves: Strigidae)

In a one-year study on the diet of the Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, in the area of Karapınar in Central Anatolia, 5324 prey items were recovered from 3314 pellets collected at monthly intervals. At least 7 species of mammals belonging to Insectivora (Crocidura suaveolens) and Rodentia (Allactaga williamsi, Cricetulus migratorius, Meriones tristrami, Mescocricetus brandti, Microtus guentheri, M. sp., Mus macedonicus) were identified. Rodentia were dominant and contributed 93.8% of the number of prey items of the Long-eared Owl. Microtus guentheri accounted for 83.9% of the rodent remains. The diet pattern was more diverse in summer, when some 24% of the diet consisted of non-mammal prey items (birds, insects).

The First Record of Two-Lined Chestnut Borer Agrilus bilineatus (Weber, 1801) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) from Europe

ABSTRACT: The two-lined chestnut borer Agrilus bilineatus (Weber, 1801) is recorded for the first time from Europe. Two specimens were collected from Belgrad Forest (European part of Istanbul, Turkey). The new record extends the known distribution.