Biotaxonomic, ecological and faunistic investigation of Insecta (Arthropoda) taxa in agricultural areas and surroundings of Derinkuyu district in Cappadocia region

-This thesis study is based on field and subsequent laboratory studies carried out between March and October, 2023-2024, in order to investigate the biotaxonomic, ecological and faunistic aspects of Insecta (Arthropoda) taxa in agricultural areas and their surroundings in Derinkuyu district of Cappadocia region. Within the scope of the study, insect samples were collected mostly with the help of a trap by field and observation studies in the existing habitats of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), strawberry (Fragaria sp. L.), squash (Cucurbito pepo L.), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivation areas and their surroundings, where agricultural activities specific to the district are carried out. When the collected samples were evaluated as a result of the identification processes, 62 taxa were identified at the genus and species level. 58 of these taxa are new records from the research field and 16 of them were determined as predatory species. Among the identified taxa, in terms of the number of species and sample density; while the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera show higher biodiversity; the orders Dermaptera, Odonata and Neuroptera show lower biodiversity. In the context of the interactions between agricultural products and insect taxa in Derinkuyu district; Pumpkin and strawberry planting areas show higher quantitative interactions, while potato and bean planting areas show lower quantitative interactions, but it is seen that there are no major differences in general. In addition, during the thesis study; the effects of some ecological factors such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, soil temperature, wind speed were also evaluated. Here; It was determined that the most important ecological factors affecting the population densities of insect taxa are temperature and humidity. Accordingly, fauna diversity and density increase especially in June and July, when temperature and humidity balance can occur. In addition to our current ecological findings, insects contribute to the sustainability of agriculture by participating in important processes such as pollination, pest control and organic matter transformation in agricultural areas. However, pesticides used during agricultural activities and intensive agricultural practices can have negative effects on insect populations.