Determination of Population Dynamics of Cicadellidae (Hemiptera) Species and Their Relationship with Climatic Parameters in Organic Cotton Fields in Hatay Province, Türkiye

Abstract

In this study, population dynamics of leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) species in organic cotton-growing areas of Hatay province were investigated along with their associations with climatic parameters. Weekly sampling using a sweep net (100 sweep net/parcel) identified nine species within the Cicadellidae family. Among these, Asymmetrasca decedens+Empoasca decipiens displayed high population densities throughout the entire vegetative phase of cotton, while Zyginidia sohrab, Psammotettix striatus, Orosius orientalis, Anaceratagallia laevis, and Anaceratagallia sinuata were present in both vegetative and reproductive phases of cotton, with Z. sohrab reaching significant population levels. Cicadulina bipunctella and Balclutha hebe were found only during the reproductive phase, yet they achieved considerably high populations. Correlation and regression analyses have shown a moderate to high level of positive correlation between the population development of five leafminer species and various temperature (°C) parameters (r=0.578-0.790, p