Determination of population change and damage rate of kermania pistaciella amsel (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) in pistachio orchards in Atabaği town of Siirt province

This study was carried out in Atabağı Town, Baykan District of Siirt Province, where pistachio production is intensive, to determine the adult population change and contamination rate of pistachio twig moth (Kermania pistaciella Amsel. Lepidoptera: Tineidae) in two pistachio orchards, each with an area of 20 and 30 decares, between 2023-2024 using sexually attracted traps. In addition, 100 shoots and fruit bunches were checked to determine the rate of K. pistaciella infestation of pistachio trees in the sampled orchards. As a result of the study, the first adults of K. pistaciella in sexually attracted traps were seen in 2023 on April 20 (42-14 pieces/trap), the highest number of adults were seen on April 29 (903-98 pieces/trap) and the last in nature on May 22. In the study conducted in 2024, the first adults of K. pistaciella were seen in the traps on April 13 (29-8 pieces/trap), the highest number of adults were seen on April 21 (1120-275 pieces/trap), and the last adults were seen in nature on May 18. In both years, the active flight period of K. pistaciella adults in nature was determined as 33 and 36 days, respectively. In the years when the study was conducted, the average K. pistaciella infestation rate in pistachio orchards was determined as 34,5% and 28% in shoots, respectively, while the infestation rate in fruit bunches was determined as 8,8% and 9,1%.