Insect pests in pistachio producing areas of Turkey

Abstract

Pistachio (Pistacia vera) is one of the most important agriculture crops in Turkey and is an important source of income for famers. Pistachio production in Turkey ranks third in the world after Iran and the United States. One of the most important factors limiting yield and quality in pistachio growing areas is insects. Injurious insects can feed on fruites, leaves, buds, shoot, branches, trunk and root of pistachio trees causing weakening of trees, reduction fruit yield an even drying. The number of insect pest identified in the areas of pistachios in Turkey is around 50 species. However, about 10 of them can cause economic damage and applied control measures against them. The most common and widespread pistachio insect pests are psyllid (Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt & Lauterer), twig borer moth (Kermania pistaciella Amsel), the pistachio scale insects (Suturaspis pistaciae Lindinger, Pistaciaspis pistaciae Arch.), the pistachio root beetle (Capnodis cariosa pallas), bark (twig borer) beetle (Hylesinus (Megastigmus pistaciae Walker) and the stink bugs ( Acrosternum heegeri Fieber, Campylomma lindbergi (Hoberlandt). The control of most of these pistachio pests relies almost on pesticides. However, for most pistachio pests, sanitation procedures are the primary means of control.