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Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Van
Abstract
The family Syrphidae is among the most important insect groups due to its significant contributions to pollination and its role as natural enemies. In cotton agroecosystems, syrphids play an important predatory role by contributing to the biological control of aphids and other soft-bodied pests. The material examined in this study was collected from the Harran Plain, Şanlıurfa, between August and October, 2025. In this study, Syrphidae specimens were sampled using 200 sweep-net samplings in the Harran Plain, one of Türkiye’s major cotton-growing regions. Collected specimens were initially identified to species level based on morphological characteristics by expert taxonomists. Subsequently, total genomic DNA was extracted from each specimen, and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene region was amplified using universal primers through PCR. The obtained sequences were compared with reference sequences in GenBank using BLAST. As a result, a total of 10 species belonging to 7 genera within two subfamilies of Syrphidae (Diptera) were identified in cotton cultivation areas of the Harran Plain. The recorded species within the subfamily Eristalinae were Eristalinus megacephalus, Eristalis arbustorum, Eristalis tenax, and Syritta pipiens, whereas those within the subfamily Syrphinae included Eupeodes corollae, Eupeodes luniger, Melanostoma mellina, Paragus bicolor, Sphaerophoria rueppellii, and Sphaerophoria scripta. In this study, carried out in the Harran Plain, particularly in cotton-growing areas, Eristalinus megacephalus and Eupeodes luniger were recorded for the first time from Şanlıurfa Province. These findings indicate that natural biological control agents are actively present in cotton fields of the Harran Plain, suggesting a promising potential for sustainable pest management in the region.
Keywords
DNA barcoding,biological control,cotton,harran plain,Syrphidae
How to Cite
KARA, H. (2026). Diversity and DNA Barcoding of Syrphidae (Diptera) Species in Cotton Agroecosystems of the Harran Plain, Türkiye. ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18465472
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