Insect Pests Complex of Common Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) (Lamiaceae) and Their Natural Enemies

Abstract

Common sage, Salvia officinalis L., (Lamiaceae) has been economically cultivated in many countries due to its widely used as food and medicines. The sage's production, however, is still facing significant yield losses because of insect pest attacks including other arthropods. This research is aimed to determine insect pests of S. officinalis and their natural enemies. Insect species were collected in a year 2016 in the sage fields at Bornova and Menemen, Izmir-Turkey. In total 47 species consisted of 18 insect pests and 29 natural enemies belonging to 30 families in 11 insect orders were collected. The species namely Aphis passeriniana (Del Guercio) and Eucarazzia elegans (Ferrari) (Hem.: Aphididae); Dysmicoccus angustifrons (Hall) (Hem.: Pseudococcidae); Eupteryx gyaurdagicus Dlabola and Micantulina (Mulsantina) stigmatipennis (Mulsant & Rey) (Hem: Cicadellidae); Chrysolina (Taeniochrysea) americana (L.) (Col.: Chrysomelidae) and Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thy.: Thripidae) were determined as key insect pests. M. stigmatipennis (Mulsant & Rey) was a new pest hosting for common sage whilst E. elegans (Ferrari) and D. angustifrons (Hall) were known as the new species recorded for Izmir province. In addition, the natural enemies of key insect pest were determined and discussed.

Short Communication: Morphological characterizations of Aphis passeriniana (Del Guercio) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) living on common sage in Turkey

“…The species is widespread but limited on host plants Salvia spp. (Blackman and Eastop 2006;2018). How A. passeriniana entered Turkey is not clearly stated.…”

“…We recorded the aphid population in two sage fields in Bornova and Menemen Districts where the species has been a most injurious pest in growing season 2015 and 2017, but less in 2016. At the time, the incidence rate of the aphid species was ranging from 30 to 80% (Zarkani 2018). It firstly emerges on shoots in the early spring and then spreads to all aerial parts of the plants S. officinalis.…”

“…About 221 species from Aphis are reported in Europe (Nieto Nafría et al 2017), and 69 species are in Turkey (Görür et al 2012). In addition, this genus is mostly found in the northern hemisphere, and some native species also found in South America, New Zealand and Australia (Blackman and Eastop 2006;2018).…”