Determination of Insect Fauna and Population Density of Some Species in Alfalfa Production Area in Hatay

Abstract

The current study was conducted to determine insect fauna and population densities of some phytophagous and beneficial insect species at two different alfalfa fields in Narlıca district of Hatay province, Turkey in 2009-2010. In the first year biweekly, and in the second year weekly samplings were carried out by 25 sweep-net samplings taken by walking in diagonal directions. Aphids, thrips and gallery flies were also sampled by counting of 30 alfalfa stalks in every 8-10 steps in each of the sampling fields. As a result, 53 phytophagous species belonging to 14 families of five orders and 30 natural enemy species including 20 predators and 10 parasitoids belonging to nine families of six orders were obtained. With 19 species, Cicadellidae has been the largest number of species-containing family and Asymmetrasca descedens and Empoasca decipiens were the most intensively species in this family. In addition, Lygus rugulipennis was the most dominant species among all phytophagous species obtained. It has been found that populations of all pests species were affected by mowing the alfalfa, and show a decline. Predators were predominant among detected natural enemies, and their populations were persistent in the alfalfa fields despite approximately 7-8 mowing per year.