Türkiye’de Pamukta yeni bir zararlı: Leptodemus minutus Jakovlev 1876 (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae: Oxycareninae)

Abstract

Presence of Leptodemus minutus Jakovlev (Hemiptera), which cause direct damage by feeding, was investigated on cotton crop plants in Hatay province, Turkey. Methods and Results: The study material was constituted from specimens of L. minutus Jakovlev collected from cotton plants growing in Hatay in 2019. In this study, specimens were prepared for re-description for species level, the body parts of examined species having taxonomical importance were photographed. In addition, distributional data of the species in Turkey and on the world, host plants and collection locality information for each of the species investigated were given. Important morphological characters of species were examined. Conclusions: Cotton is currently the leading fiber plant crop in worldwide. There are many harmful insect in cotton production, which cause economic losses. In recent years, Leptodemus minutus Jakovlev as a new pest of cotton, which causes serious damage to the cotton production has emerged. The pest has been reported first time in cotton production areas of Hatay province of Turkey in 2019. Significance and Impact of the Study: This pest causes damage on young seedlings by colonizing in high numbers and feeds by inserting its stylets into the leaves and stems causing deformation of the leaves and wilting. Pest control is difficult due to the high population and there are not enough studies on integrated pest control. This study clearly shows that there is a need for a detailed study on the biology and control of the pest at cotton-cultivated areas.