Insects which cause damage in Gökçebey forest nursery

This master's thesis was prepared between 2022 and 2024 with the aim of identifying insect species that cause damage to plants grown in the Forest Nursery. First, within the scope of the thesis topic, previous graduate theses, research, scientific articles, books, and other literature were reviewed. The research was conducted through field and laboratory studies. During the field study, insect species found in the nursery and those attracted to light traps were collected and killed in a killing jar. These specimens were then brought to the laboratory for preparation. Afterwards, they were photographed, and species identification was carried out based on literature. A total of 21 different insect species were identified. These species belong to the orders and families of Coleoptera (Carabidae, Elateridae, Scarabaeidae, Staphylinidae), Dermaptera (Labiduridae), Hemiptera (Cicadellidae, Coreidae, Cydnidae, Miridae, Pentatomidae, Rhyparochromidae), Lepidoptera (Crambidae, Noctuidae), and Orthoptera (Gryllotalpidae). Of the insect species, 15 are phytophagous, one is omnivorous, and five have been determined to be predators. In this study, the status of the insect species found and identified in the nursery as primary pests, causing plant death, root pests, and leaf pests was evaluated. Thus, the main entomological problems in the Gökçebey Forest Nursery were determined, and the study aims to contribute to implementing more informed interventions and preventive measures in this regard.