Molecular characterization of populations of Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt and Lauterer (Hemiptera psyllidae) in Gaziantep, Adıyaman and Siirt provinces and population development in Siirt province

The Pistachio psyllid, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt and Lauterer (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is a pest species that cause significant damage in Pistachio produced areas in Turkey. In this study, population development of A. pistaciae in 2017-2018 was observed in orchards of Siirtfıstığı variety in Siirt province and districts. In addition, genetic kinship between pest populations in three different regions (Gaziantep, Adıyaman and Siirt) where Pistachio cultivation is widespread in Turkey were investigated. Population development studies of A. pistaciae were conducted in Siirt Province, Tillo and Eruh districts. At the end of the study, it was determined that the nymph, adult and natural enemies of the pest showed almost similar fluctuations in all sampling gardens in both years. The population density of the pests' nymphs, adults and natural enemies remained at very low levels in the spring and summer months, and reached peaks in the shortest period in September-October. In this study, 26 predators and 1 parasitoid species belonging to Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Neuroptera and Hymenoptera were identified. According to molecular characterization studies, no genetic differences were detected between the populations of the pests in Siirt, Gaziantep and Adıyaman provinces. Therefore, it was found that all populations living in these regions belong to A. pistaciae species.