Determination of Living Harmful and Beneficial Insect Species of Garlic (Allium sativa) of Taşköprü and Hanönü Districts, Kastamonu Province

Özet

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the most economically important vegetable crops cultivated worldwide and constitutes a significant component of agricultural production in Türkiye, particularly in Kastamonu Province. In addition to its nutritional and medicinal value, garlic production plays an important role in the regional economy of Taşköprü and Hanönü districts. Despite the economic importance of garlic cultivation, information regarding the diversity of harmful and beneficial insect species associated with garlic agroecosystems in the region remains limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the insect fauna inhabiting garlic cultivation areas and to identify species with potential economic importance.

Field surveys were carried out between May and August 2016 in garlic fields and adjacent habitats located in Taşköprü and Hanönü districts of Kastamonu Province, Türkiye. Insect specimens were collected using sweep nets and beating sheet methods from 68 sampling localities representing different habitat types. Collected specimens were prepared according to standard entomological techniques and identified using morphological characters and taxonomic keys.

A total of 761 specimens representing 81 species belonging to six insect orders were identified. The recorded fauna consisted of 38 species of Coleoptera, 15 species of Lepidoptera, 9 species of Neuroptera, 9 species of Odonata, 7 species of Diptera, and 3 species of Heteroptera. Beneficial species were primarily represented by Odonata, Neuroptera, and several Diptera and Coleoptera taxa, whereas most Lepidoptera and Heteroptera species, together with some Coleoptera species, were classified as potentially harmful. The occurrence of predatory species such as Chrysoperla carnea, Scymnus quadriguttatus, and Scymnus rubromaculatus indicates the presence of a considerable natural biological control potential within the garlic agroecosystem. In contrast, species such as Lilioceris merdigera, Cassida viridis, and Hellula undalis may pose potential risks to garlic production under favorable environmental conditions.

The results demonstrate that garlic cultivation areas in Taşköprü and Hanönü support a rich and diverse insect fauna comprising both beneficial and harmful species. This study represents one of the most comprehensive faunistic investigations conducted in garlic agroecosystems of the region and provides valuable baseline data for future biodiversity assessments, integrated pest management (IPM) programs, biological control applications, and sustainable garlic production strategies.