Distribution and activity period of the invasive Orosanga japonica (Melichar, 1898) (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) in Turkey

Abstract

The invasive species Orosanga japonica was found at 38 sites in Black Sea coastal zone of Turkey. It was recorded for the first time from the Central Black Sea Region, and for the second time from Western Black Sea Region and in the European part of Turkey. Most localities were close to the Black Sea (<3 km) and situated at altitudes lower than 150 m a.s.l. with the highest records up to 500 m a.s.l. Maximum distance from the sea was in Alemdağ, with c. 15 km, and Erenköy, with c. 10 km. This species is confined in Turkey to the high-rainy and humid coastal zones. Additionally considering cultivated plants, O. japonica was found on 18 host plant species, of which 15 were previously not known to be used by the species. Nymphs of this univoltine pest were found between May and July, depending on the weather conditions such as rainfall and temperature. Adults emerged between early June and mid-September, with the highest density in the second half of August. Eggs were observed from late August to mid-June.

Keywords:

• new record
• host plants
• Black Sea coast

Acknowledgements

Our special thanks to Dr. Max Kasparek for comments on the manuscript, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kiraz Erciyas-Yavuz and Prof. Dr. Raşit Bilgin for editing the English style, and Ahmet Taşçı, Ahmet Verün, Ali Şeker, Alpay Cafer Karataş, Birol Hatinoğlu, Bülent Biçici, Fahri Sulak, Furkan Eren, Hasan Yaşayacak, Hülya Deniz Mısır, Kadri Kaya, Mehmet Hanay, Okan Akçay, Umut Güngör, and Veysel Kahraman for their valuable contributions in field studies.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.