Ertan Yanik

Storage studies of different stages of Anthocoris minki Dohrn (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) under low temperatures

The goal of this study was to evaluate the biological parameters of the predator Anthocoris minki Dohrn (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) over various periods of growth at low temperatures. Storage studies were conducted for the following three stages: 1) 1-3 stage nymphs, 2) 4-5 stage nymphs, and 3) adult stages. All stages of the predator were stored at 7, 11, and 15 ± 1°C for 10, 20, 30, and 40 days under continuous scotophase. During storage, food eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were added once a week. Following storage, the predator was transferred to long day periods (16:8 [L:D] h, 25 ±1 C). A lower survival rate (7.33%) was determined for the 1-3 nymph stage following storage at 7°C for 40 days. The highest survival percentage (90.0-92.0%) was determined for 1-3 stage nymphs and adult stage stored at 11°C for 10-30 days. The largest quantity of eggs was obtained when A. minki was stored at 11°C. Overall, our results indicated that A. minki can be stored for up to 40 days at 11°C.

Phenology and damage of Anarsia lineatella Zell. (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in peach, apricot and nectarine orchards under semi-arid conditions

This study was conducted under semi-arid conditions in Şanlıurfa province (Turkey) in 2010–2011. One orchard each of peach, apricot and nectarine was selected for the study. There was less than one mile distance separating the orchards, and therefore climate, soil and topography were similar. Adult emergence, population peaks, number of generations per year and damage of the peach twig borer [PTB] [Anarsia lineatella Zell. (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)] on twigs and fruits were determined. Sex pheromone traps were used to determine moth population dynamics. Fruits and twigs were checked to determine damage rate and host preference of the PTB among peach, apricot and nectarine. This study showed that the first adults of the PTB were detected in early May and pest populations peaked four times during both years. The highest numbers of adults captured by the pheromone traps in peach, apricot and nectarine orchards were 115, 86 and 70 adults/trap, respectively. The PTB damage rates on twigs were 38, 18 and 16% (2010) (P < 0.05) and 30, 22 and 14% (2011) (P < 0.05), while damage rates on fruits were 29, 6 and 6% (2010) (P < 0.05) and 14, 8 and 5% (2011) (P < 0.05) in peach, nectarine and apricot, respectively. The results showed that A. lineatella caused greater damage on peaches than on apricots and nectarines.