Abstract:

The Cicadellidae family, belonging to the Hemiptera order, holds great significance among the various species of sucking insects that infest crop plants. The family members not only cause direct damage to the infested plants but also serve as vectors for viruses and other similar diseases. This study was conducted to determine the species belonging to Cicadellidae family and their population fluctuations in second-crop maize Şırnak province in 2020. The samplings were done at three different phenological periods of maize plants (vegetative, reproductive, and maturity stages). The population dynamics of commonly observed species were recorded using yellow sticky traps in three fields. The studies were initiated at the 2-4 leaf stage of maize the traps were monitored at weekly intervals till the crop maturity. A total of 13 species, i.e., Anaceratagallia ribauti (Ossiannilsson, 1938), Batracomorphus irroratus (Lewis,1834), Empoasca decipiens Paoli, 1930, Euscelis lineolatus Brullé, 1832, Exitianus fasciolatus (Melichar,1911), Goniognathus (Epistagma) guttulinervis (Kirschbaum, 1868), Mogangella straminea Dlabola, 1957, Neoaliturus fenestratus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1834), Neoaliturus opacipennis (Lethierry, 1876), Orosius orientalis (Matsumura, 1914), Psammotettix striatus (Linnaeus,1758), Plathymetopius chloroticus Putton, 1877, Zyginidia sohrab Zachvatkin, 1947 were identified from the study areas. Plathymetopius chloroticus was the first record of the Cicadellidae fauna of Türkiye. The most common species were Empoasca decipiens (%70), Zyginidia sohrab (27%) and Psammotettix striatus (3%) respectively. E. decipens was recorded from 2-4 leaf stage of second crop maize in Şırnak province, The three common species were observed in fields from the 2-4 leaf stage, reaching their maximum level during the generative stage of the maize plants, and declining in population density during the maturation stage. Population density of E. decipiens reached the highest level (764 individuals per trap/week) during generative period of maize. It is recommended to use cultural control, in second crop maize fields where there are high population densities of species observed in the study area.

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