Investigations on wheat stem sawfly (hymenoptera: cephidae) species, population development and damage in wheat growing areas of altinekin (Konya) district

This study was carried out in cereal cultivation areas in Altınekin district of Konya province in 2023- 2024. This study determined the wheat stem sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) species, population development, larvae infestation and damage rates in some wheat varieties in Altınekin district. In order to determine the wheat stem sawfly species, samples were collected by shaking 100 insect nets in wheat fields during the adult flight periods. Population development studies continued weekly from the stemming period until the heading period in previously determined wheat fields. Sampling operations were carried out on 11.04.2023-27.06.2023 and 26.03.2024-25.06.2024. Larvae infestation rates and damage rates were determined before wheat was harvested by cutting wheat stalks from the bottom in a total area of 2 m² for each field using the quarter-square method (1/4 m² frame) in 49 fields. In the study, Cephus pygmeus (Linnaeus, 1767), Trachelus tabidus (Fabricuis, 1775), Prachcephus cruentatus (Eversmann, 1847), Trachelus libanensis (Andre, 1881) and Calameuta haemorrhoidalis (Fabricius, 1781) species were identified. The most common species was determined to be Cephus pygmeus. The first adults were caught on 25 April in 2023 and 15 April in 2024. The larvae of the pest were first detected in Akköy district neighborhood on 29.05.2023 in 2023 and in Ölmez neighborhood on 10.05.2024 in 2024. The larvae entered diapause at the end of July in 2023 and at the beginning of July in 2024. The larvae infestation rate varied according to years, neighborhoods, and varieties of wheat. The highest stalk infestation rate with larvae was determined as 19.09% in Yeniyayla neighborhood in 2023, and the lowest infestation rate was determined as 2.67% in Akçaşar neighborhood. In 2024, the highest infestation rate was determined as 20.65% in Ölmez neighborhood, and the lowest infestation rate was determined as 4.40% in Oğuzeli neighborhood. According to wheat verieties, the larvae infestation rate was determined as 31.27% in Lucilla bread variety and the lowest as 2.34% in Şerif pasta variety in 2023. In 2024, the highest infestation rate was determined as 29.56% in the Halis bread variety, while the lowest infestation rate was determined as 2.59% in the Paşa bread variety. It was determined that product losses due to larva damage varied by year and variety. The highest product loss was 6.17% in the Lucilla bread variety in 2023, and the lowest product loss was 0.63% in the Saya pasta variety. In 2024, the highest product loss was 7.10% in the Lucilla bread variety, and the lowest product loss was 0.86% in the Altındane bread variety. No chemical control is carried out against the this pest. Since the first adults feed on the pollen and nectar of weeds, it is important to of control weeds both in the field and on the edges of the field. In addition, research should be conducted on the breeding of resistant wheat varieties. Keywords: Altınekin, wheat, wheat, infestation rate, Wheat stem sawfly, species, inju