POPULATION FLUCTUATIONS OF THE PISTACHIO TWIG BORER, KERMANIA PISTACIELLA AMSEL AND ITS PARASITOIDS

Abstract

This study was conducted in Siirt, Turkey in 2016-2017 to determine the distribution, population fluctuations, and parasitoids of the pistachio twig borer, Kermania pistaciella Amsel, 1964 (Lepidoptera: Oinophilidae). The population fluctuations of K. pistaciella were monitored by pheromone traps in four orchards, The distribution and the identification of its parasitoids were performed by visual examination in a total of 66 orchards and by rearing in the laboratory. Parasitoids were obtained from K. pistaciella pupae kept in boxes at room conditions. Kermania pistaciella males were started to be caught by pheromone traps on April 8 and April 12 in the first and second years, respectively. The adult flight continued until May 16 in the first year and June 4 in the second year. The peak of the adults caught by traps occurred on April 25-29 in the first year, and on April 26 -May 4 in the second year, respectively. Three parasitoid species were identified from the pupae of K. pistaciella, including Centistidea (Paracentistidae) pistaciella van Achterber & Mehrnejad, 2002 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Chelonus chetini Beyarslan & Sahan, 2019 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and Gelis areator (Panzer, 1804) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Centistidea pistaciella parasitoid species is the first records of K. pistaciella parasitoid in Turkey.