Investigations on the bark beetle species (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in cherry and peaches in the East Mediterranean Region of Türkiye

Abstract: This two-year long study was carried out in cherry and peach orchards in Adana, Mersin, Osmaniye and Kahramanmaraş provinces in the East Mediterranean Region of Türkiye in 2004-2005. In this study the species of bark beetles -Scolytid species-, the distribution and the infection rates of this pest were determined.As a result of this study, five species of the Scolytidae family, which are one of the major pests of cherry and peaches in the region, were found. These species were Scolytus rugulosus Müller, Scolytus amygdali Guerin, Xyloborus dispar Fabricius, Taphrorynchus villifrons Dufour and Scolytus pygmaeus Fabricius. S. rugulosus was found to be the most common species followed by S. amygdali. It was determined that the first adults appeared in the beginning of May (3rd-5th of May) and survived until mid-September. It was found that all provinces in the study area were infected by the pest at different rates. The infection rates of bark beetle species in Mersin, Adana, Osmaniye and Kahramanmaraş were determined to be 4.3, 5.6, 7.0 and 7.4% respectively. The area where the survey was conducted was found to be infected at an average of 5.8%.