The Bark and Ambrosia Beetles and Predatory Species Determined in Emirgan Grove of Istanbul Province

Abstract

Forests, which account for a third of the world's land surface, are of vital importance for plenty of living organisms as a natural habitat. In addition to economic contribution, a variety of main characteristics, such as biodiversity, erosion prevention, carbon absorption, sustainability of water resources, landscape and aesthetic appearance increase the crucial value of forests. Forests, which are one of the essential zones that need to be protected for the future of the world, are damaged by many biotic and abiotic factors, and some of them are in danger of extinction. It is known that insects, one of the biotic factors, cause significant damage for some years depending on ecological conditions, and are also vectors of some fungal disease agents. This study was conducted to determine the harmful insects that cause drying in the oak and wild cherry trees in Emirgan Grove of Sarıyer district, one of the most important recreation areas in Istanbul, Turkey's most populous metropolitan city, as well as the beneficial insect species found in this area between 2017 and 2018. Insects that make sawdust on the stems of drying trees, mostly English oak (Quercus robur L.), were obtained from the barks of trunks and galleries, which were up to 2 meters above ground level. Among the insect species obtained, Scolytus mali (Bechstein, 1805), Scolytus scolytus (Fabricius, 1775), Xyleborus monographus (Fabricius, 1792), Xyleborinus saxesenii (Ratzeburg, 1837) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae), Platypus cylindrus (Fabricius,1792) (Col.: Platypodidae) harmful beetle species, Corticeus fasciatus (Fabricius, 1790) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Aulonium ruficorne (Olivier, 1790), Colydium elongatum (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Colydiidae), Rhizophagus depressus (Fabricius, 1793) (Coleoptera: Rhizophagidae) and Epuraea sp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae have been identified as predatory species.