Determination of the popülation density of Orthotomicus erosus and the predators Thanasimus formicarius and Temnochila caerulea with pheromone traps

This study was carried out in 2018 to determine the population density of Orthotomicus erosus (Wollaston, 1857) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) and the predators Thanasimus formicarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera, Cleridae) and Temnochila caerulea (Olivier, 1790) (Coleoptera, Trogositidae) in the forest of Mersin Forest Management Directorate (MOİM). In this study, 56 pheromone traps were established. Pheromone traps have been placed in areas where the trees were cut within the year or a few years earlier, forest depots and areas with broken and fallen dry trees in which Orthotomicus erosus (Woll.) can be found in abundance. Traps were checked in every 7 or 15 days and predator or harmless species were released back to nature. In each trap, 71,307 avarage, and total of 3,993,209 Orthotomicus erosus (Woll.), 21.9 avarage, and total of 1,227 Thanasimus formicarius (L.), and 33.4 avarage, total of 1,871 Temnochila caerulea (Oliv.) were caught. In this study, it was determined that these insects were abundant in the forests of Mersin Directorate of Forestry. It was found that Orthotomicus erosus (Woll.) have 2-4 generations a year, flight periods occurred in April to August and the flight periods intertwined especially in April, May and June. The general flight period of Thanasimus formicarius (L.) took place in April and May. Temnochila caerulea (Oliv.) was found to fly from April to September. Benefits of predicting the population density of insects beforehand have been mentioned and suggestions have been made.