A multidisciplinary approach to tackling invasive species: barcoding, morphology, and metataxonomy of the leafhopper Arboridia adanae.

The leafhopper genus Arboridia includes several species that feed on Vitis vinifera and cause leaf chlorosis. We report the first alien Arboridia infestation in Italy in 2021 in an Apulian vineyard. To confirm the taxonomic status of the species responsible for crop damage, and reconstruct its demographic history, we barcoded individuals from Apulia together with Arboridia spp. from Crete (Greece), A. adanae from Central Turkey and other specimens of the presumed sister species, A. dalmatina from Dalmatia (Croatia). Molecular phylogenies and barcoding gap analysis identified clades not associated with sampling locations. This result is incongruent with classical specimen assignment and is further supported by morphological analyses, which did not reveal significant differences among the populations. Therefore, we propose A. dalmatina as a junior synonym of A. adanae, which would become the only grapevine-related Arboridia species in the eastern Mediterranean. To further characterise A. adanae evolution, we performed a molecular clock analysis that suggested a radiation during the Pleistocene glaciations. Finally, to assess whether the Apulian individuals carried microorganisms of agricultural relevance, we sequenced their bacterial microbiota using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing identifying three phytopathogens not generally associated with Arboridia activities as well as Wolbachia in one Apulian haplogroup. We discuss the agricultural implications of this infestation.

First record of the leafhopper tribe Adelungiini Baker (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Cicadellidae: Megophthalminae) from Turkey, with notes on emAchrus/em emalbicosta/em (Kusnezov, 1929).

The tribe Adelungiini Baker, 1915 is recorded for the first time from Turkey and the genus Achrus Lindberg, 1925 is recorded for the first time from China based on Achrus albicosta (Kusnezov, 1929) collected by Kozlov's Mongol-Sichuan expedition in Inner Mongolia at the beginning of last century and recently-in Eastern Anatolia, Elazig Province. New locality records as well as illustrations of external view and male genitalia structures for A. albicosta are given from Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran.

A new species of the genus Entomogonus Solier, 1848 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Eastern Anatolia.

A new species Entomogonus (Delonurops) doguanatolicus Nabozhenko, sp. n. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is described from Diyarbakir (Turkey). It differs from all members of the subgenus Delonurops Reitter, 1922 in the flattened lateral sides of pronotum. The newly described species is similar to E. clavimanus Reitter, 1903, E. makovskyi Nabozhenko et Tichý, 2011 and E. bialookii Nabozhenko et Tichý, 2011 from which it also differs by a more robust body, structure of pro- and mesotibiae, pro- and mesotarsi and elytral apex. A key to species (based on males) of the subgenus Delonurops of Eastern Anatolia is given.

Highly effective bacterial agents against Cimbex quadrimaculatus (Hymenoptera: Cimbicidae): isolation of bacteria and their insecticidal activities.

Cimbex quadrimaculatus (Hymenoptera: Cimbicidae) is one of the serious pests of almonds in Turkey and worldwide. Since there is no effective control application against this pest, it has been a serious problem up to now. Therefore, we aimed to find an effective bacterium that can be utilized as a biocontrol agent against C. quadrimaculatus in pest management. We isolated seven bacteria from dead and live C. quadrimaculatus larvae, and evaluated the larvicidal potency of all isolates on the respective pest. Based on the morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular properties (partial sequence of 16S rRNA gene), the isolates were identified to be Bacillus safensis (CQ1), Bacillus subtilis (CQ2), Bacillus tequilensis (CQ3), Enterobacter sp. (CQ4), Kurthia gibsonii (CQ5), Staphylococcus sp. (CQ6) and Staphylococcus sciuri (CQ7). The results of the larvicidal activities of these isolates indicated that the mortality value obtained from all treatments changed from 58 to 100 %, and reached 100 % with B. safensis (CQ1) and B. subtilis (CQ2) on the 3rd instar larvae within 10 days of application of 1.89 × 10(9) cfu/mL bacterial concentration at 25 °C under laboratory conditions. Findings from this study indicate that these isolates appear to be a promising biocontrol agent for C. quadrimaculatus.

A new species of the Agriotes nuceus species group from Turkey.

A new Elateridae species, Agriotes longipronotum n. sp. (Coleoptera: Elateridae: Elaterinae: Agriotini), is described from Siirt province, Turkey. Photographs of the imago and the aedeagus, and drawings of the aedeagus of the new species, A. sameki , A. bulgaricus , and A. rahmei are given. A rearranged diagnostic key of all Turkish species of nuceus -group is given. The new species is discussed in relation with closely related species. The species of the Agriotes nuceus -group from Turkey are listed, and their distributions are given.