In the current study, we investigated the insecticidal efficacy of two borates, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Etidot‐67) and calcium metaborate (CMB) via surface application or diet delivery on the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The application method did not change the boron‐related mortality, but CMB was more effective than Etidot‐67. At the highest dose, it took around 13 days to reach the highest mortality (≥98.1%) for CMB, while it was 19 days for Etidot‐67 (≥95.8%). Both boron compounds led to a significant reduction in triglyceride levels in parallel to the downregulation of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), the two primary genes involved in de novo lipogenesis, while they also induced body weight loss. In conclusion, the current study indicated the insecticidal potential of boron compounds but CMB is more promising and more effective in controlling T. castaneum, while lipogenesis is inhibited and weight loss is induced by boron compounds.

Background: Potato tuber worm (PTM) [Phthorimaea operculella(Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)] is one of the most significant and widespread pests of potato. PTM damages potatoes both in the field and in potato storage areas. Control of the pest is getting harder as it is developing resistance to pesticides. Several entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species have been reported to successfully control numerous agricultural pests worldwide. The main aim of the study was to isolate native nematode/s as a biological control agent againstP. operculella. Morphometric measurements of the infective juvenile (IJ) and sequencing and characterization of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was used to identify the nematode isolate to species level. The efficacy of EPN isolate Z-1 obtained from Zonguldak province, Turkey was tested against different life stages of the pest. Experiments were conducted in 150 ml plastic pots containing sterile soil mixture. Four EPN concentrations (i.e., 0, 250, 500 and 1000 IJs/ml) were applied to the soil. Data relating to the mortality of different life stages were collected daily till 6 days after inoculation.Results: Molecular analyses based on the ITS sequence and morphometric data revealed that isolate Z-1 wasHeterorhabditis bacteriophora. Mortality rates of PTM larvae exposed to 250, 500, and 1000 IJs/ml concentrations of native EPN were 62.9 ± 9.8, 74.0 ± 3.7, and 92.5 ± 3.7%, respectively. There were non-significant differences among tested EPN concentrations for pupal mortality and the highest concentration (i.e., 1000 IJs/ml) caused 25.6% mortality.Conclusions: The results revealed that the nativeH. bacteriophoraisolate was effective against late-stage larvae of PTM under laboratory conditions. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative management option of the pest.

This study was carried out between 2017-2019 to determine the mite species found in the tea gardens of Rize province (Türkiye). During the study, surveys in 9 districts (Ardeşen, Çayeli, Derepazarı, Fındıklı, Güneysu, İyidere, Kalkandere, Centre and Pazar) were carried out between May and September with the random sampling method, corresponding to the tea plant's 1st, 2nd and 3rd shoot period. Studies were conducted in 73 tea gardens in 9 districts in the first shoot period, 107 tea gardens in the 2nd shoot period and in 97 tea gardens in the 3rd shoot period and plant samples were taken. At the end of the study, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) was the most common and highest number detected species with 49.7%. Other mites identified are Calacarus carinatus (Green) (Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) with 24.3%, Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) (Prostigmata: Tenuipalpidae) with 19.9%, Tydeus californicus (Banks) (Prostigmata: Tydeidae) with 17.1%, Neoseiulus californicus (Oudemans) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) with 5.9%, Czenspinskia transversostriata (Oudemans) (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae) with 2.9%, Tuckerella sp. (Prostigmata: Tuckerellidae) with 1.8%, and Oribatida species, respectively. The mites found in this study have been completed in a way that integrates with previous studies.

As a staple food, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) (Solanaceae) is one of the most produced food crops to ensure food security. The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller, 1873) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a major pest of potato, damaging both the growing and storage processes. In recent years, green pest control strategies have been gaining importance to reduce the adverse effects of chemicals and protect the environment. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and their bacterial endosymbionts (Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus spp.) have been one of the top topics studied in sustainable pest control approaches. In the present study, the two most common EPN species, Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, and their bacterial associates, Xenorhabdus bovienii and Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. kayaii were evaluated against PTM larvae separately and in combination with spinosad. The survival rates of infective juveniles (IJs) of EPNs were over 92% after 72 h of direct exposure to spinosad. Co-application of EPNs and bioactive compounds (BACs) of endosymbiotic bacteria with spinosad induced synergistic interactions and achieved the maximum mortality (100%) in PTM larvae 48 h post-treatment. Spinosad and BAC combinations were highly efficient in controlling the PTM larvae and provided LT₅₀ values below 23.0 h. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 29 compounds in total, 20 of which belonged to P. luminescens subsp. kayaii. The results indicate that the integration of EPNs and BACs of endosymbiotic bacteria with spinosad presents a synergistic interaction and enhances pest control efficacy.

Bu çalışma Yonca yaprakböceği (Gonioctena fornicata (Brüggemann, 1873) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)’nin Bolu, Zonguldak ve Bartın illeri yonca (Medicago sativa L.) ekiliş alanlarında yayılışı ve yoğunluğunun belirlenmesi amacıyla 2017 ile 2019 yılları arasında yürütülmüştür. 2017 yılında çalışmaların yürütüldüğü üç ilde de G. fornicata’nın yaygınlığının %100 olduğu belirlenmiştir. Zararlının bulaşma oranı 2018 yılında %2.24 bulunurken, en yüksek %44.82’ye ulaşmış, 2019 yılında ise başlangıçta %1.48 olan bulaşma oranının en yüksek değeri %36.86 olmuştur. Mart ayı sonunda başlayan bulaşmanın haziran ayı sonuna kadar devam ettiği belirlenmiştir. Bu araştırma ile Batı Karadeniz Bölgesi’nde zararlı hakkında elde edilen ilk verilerin bundan sonra yürütülecek çalışmalara bir kaynak oluşturacağı düşünülmektedir.

Alfalfa Medicago sativa L. (Fabaceae: Leguminosae) is an important fodder crop due to its highly nutritious animal feed and potential to adapt various environmental conditions. The average alfalfa yield in Türkiye is considerably higher than the world's average. Several diseases and pests exert negative impacts on alfalfa yield. This study investigated the status of the alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and the presence of insect species that could be new vectors for AMV in the alfalfa growing areas of Zonguldak and Bartın provinces in Türkiye. AMV is non-persistently transmitted by aphid species, but it is also known to be transmitted by pollen and seeds. The most prevalent harmful insect species in the studied area were Subcoccinella vigintiquatuorpunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and Gonioctena fornicata (Brüggeman) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The AMV was prevalent in the tested plants at a rate of 85.00%, with infection rates of 80.55% in mature larvae of S. vigintiquatuorpunctate, 80.00% in pupae, and 96.77% in adults. When looking at the relationship of AMV with common pest species, AMV was not detected in all life stages of G. fornicata. In contrast, AMV was detected in all life stages of S. vigintiquatuorpunctata except eggs. This study is the first in the world to detect the presence of AMV in S. vigintiquatuorpunctata. However, further studies are needed to determine whether S. vigintiquatuorpunctata transmits AMV persistently, semi-persistently, or non-persistently. Keywords: Forage crops, 24-spot ladybird, Molecular detection, Insect Vector, Prevalence