Iğdır Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, vol.13, no.1, pp.64-72, 2023 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Aims: This study was conducted to determine Lepidoptera species, population changes, densities and natural enemies of important species on cotton between 2016-2017 in Cizre and Silopi locations of Şırnak Province. Methods and Results: Visual control method, light trap and pheromone trap methods were used in the study carried out in the cotton growing areas of Şırnak Province. Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Earias insulana (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) within these species were found at the locations studied, and they was observed that it might be very harmful if any management strategies were not undertaken. Fifteen natural enemies as predators of determined for the lepidopteran species in this study done in Şırnak’s cotton production areas were determined; Coccinellidae (five species) and Carabidae (one species) from Coleoptera, Syrphidae (one species) from Diptera, Anthocoridae (one species), Nabidae (one species) and Miridae (one species) from Hemiptera, Sphecidae (one species) from Hymenoptera, Chrysopidae (one species) from Neuroptera. Conclusions: Helicoverpa armigera and Earias insulana were determined as the most economically important Lepidoptera species on cotton. Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) ve Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) were found as Lepidoptera secondary important species. It has been observed that the important predatory species seen intensively were belong to families Coccinellidae, Miridae, Nabidae and Chrysopidae Significance and Impact of the Study: The results obtained showed that it would be appropriate to determine the varieties with good development and yield for the region and to use biotechnical control methods primarily within the scope of integrated pest management (IPM) and to prepare the control implementation schedule by using the biological criteria related to the pests detected in the study.