Insect pests complex of common sage (salvia officinalis L.) (Lamiaceae) and their natural enemies

Abstract

Common sage, Salvia officinalis L., (Lamiaceae) has been economically cultivated in many countries due to its widely used as food and medicines. The sage’s production, however, is still facing significant yield losses because of insect pest attacks including other arthropods. This research is aimed to determine insect pests of S. officinalis and their natural enemies. Insect species were collected in a year 2016 in the sage fields at Bornova and Menemen, Izmir-Turkey. In total 47 species consisted of 18 insect pests and 29 natural enemies belonging to 30 families in 11 insect orders were collected. The species namely Aphis passeriniana (Del Guercio) and Eucarazzia elegans (Ferrari) (Hem.: Aphididae); Dysmicoccus angustifrons (Hall) (Hem.: Pseudococcidae); Eupteryx gyaurdagicus Dlabola and Micantulina (Mulsantina) stigmatipennis (Mulsant & Rey) (Hem: Cicadellidae); Chrysolina (Taeniochrysea) americana (L.) (Col.: Chrysomelidae) and Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thy.: Thripidae) were determined as key insect pests. M. stigmatipennis (Mulsant & Rey) was a new pest hosting for common sage whilst E. elegans (Ferrari) and D. angustifrons (Hall) were known as the new species recorded for Izmir province. In addition, the natural enemies of key insect pest were determined and discussed.