Horticultural Studies (HortiS) 2018, Vol 35, Num, 1     (Pages: 37-44)

Predatory insect species associated with thrips (Thysanoptera) species on some medicinal and aromatic plants

Ekrem ATAKAN 1 ,Serkan PEHLİVAN 1

1 Çukurova Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Bitki Koruma Bölümü, Adana DOI : 10.16882/derim.2018.311008 Viewed : 1649 - Downloaded : 989 Thrips (Thysanoptera) is often recognized as harmful insect species in crops cultivated in Çukurova region of Turkey. Some thrips species is also well-known as a vector of virus disease of some plants. Knowledge of thrips and beneficial insects in medicinal and aromatic plants is not well-understood. For this aim, this study was carried out on medicinal and aromatic plants grown naturally in Balcalı campus of Çukurova University during 2013-2014. A total of 13 plant species belonging to nine plant families were sampled. A total of 11 Thysanoptera species belonging to families Aeolothripidae, Phlaeothripidae and Thripidae were identified. A total of six predatory insect species, most of which belong to family Anthocoridae (order Hemiptera) was recorded. Thrips tabaci Lindeman was the most prevalent pest thrips comprising of 33.85% of total adult individuals. Predatory anthocorid Orius niger (Wolff) accounted for 68.66% of total predatory adult insects. Species numbers and abundance of thrips and their predators were greater on Lantana camara (Lantana) than on others. Ocimum basilicum (Basil), Salvia spledens (Scarlet sage) and Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon) did not host any harmful insects. O. basilicum visited by most Orius species may have showed repellent effect against the pest thrips, while it is more attractive to Orius species. No thrips or any insect damage was observed on the plants sampled. One reason of this issue may be due to insect suppressions by the predatory insects. O. basilicum may also be evaluated as a banker plant supporting predators in ecologically cultivations of medicinal and aromatic and other crop plants. Keywords : Predatory insects; Aromatic; Plants; Thrips; Medicinal