Determination of whitefly species, natural enemies and population fluctuation of Bemisia tabaci (Gen.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in vegetable production areas of Samsun province

This research was carried out in order to determine the whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) species and their natural enemies, and to monitor the population of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) in vegetable fields in 17 districts of Samsun between the years 2020-2022. The species of the Aleyrodidae family that were collected from various vegetables were identified by conducting routine and sporadic surveys in the areas where vegetables are cultivated, Five different species of whiteflies were discovered from the samples collected from the survey sites. These species were Aleyrodes proletella Linn., Bemisia hancocki Corbett, B. tabaci, Dialeurodes citri Ashmead, and Trialeurodes vaporariroum Westfood. These species found are the first record for Samsun. 12 species of the Coleoptera order's Coccinelidae family, 1 species of the Anthocoridae family, 4 species of the Miridae family, 1 species of the Lygaeidae family, 1 species of the Nabidae family of the Hemiptera order, and 1 species of the Chrysopidae family of the Neuroptera order were identified using samples gathered as predators during the field surveys. As a parasitoid, one species belonging to the Aphelinidae family of the Hymenoptera order (Encarsia formosa) was determined. At the end of the study, a total of 21 natural enemies were identified. In addition, population monitoring of B. tabaci in vegetables was established in 4 different locations (3 in Bafra district and 1 in Çarşamba district) in Bafra and Çarşamba counties, where vegetables are grown intensively and whitefly is a problem. It was found that adult whiteflies began to emerge in the first week of June during the production season of 2021–2022, reached their peak population density at the end of August and early September, and then started to decline in the last week of September. The population has been reset since the last week of September. It has been found that the population density fluctuates based on pesticide spraying, temperature, and humidity since the population follow-up was conducted in controlled and farmer-controlled settings.