Harmful and Beneficial Insect Species and Their Distributions in Wheat Areas in Van Province

Wheat is one of the most important crops globally in cultivation and production. Insects, which are among the factors that cause quality and quantity losses in wheat production, are among the pest groups that should be monitored and kept under control. This study was carried out in Van province and its districts (Bahçesaray, Başkale, Çaldıran, Çatak, Edremit, Erciş, Gevaş, Gürpınar, Muradiye, Özalp, Saray and Tusba) in May-August 2017 and insect species found in wheat fields were determined. The samplings of harmful and beneficial species were carried out using standard sweep nets and by hand collection. At the end of the study, 66 species belonging to 7 orders and 39 families were found in 165 different localities. Distributions of the species were recorded as 26 species belonging to 12 families in Coleoptera, 19 species belonging to 10 families in Hemiptera, 9 species belonging to 8 families in Diptera, 6 species belonging to 5 families in Hymenoptera, 2 species belonging to 2 family in Orthoptera, 2 species belonging to 1 family in Neuroptera, and 1 species in Thysanoptera. With this study, for the first time, comprehensive information was obtained about the pest species found in the wheat fields in and around Van, their distributions, densities, and the presence of their natural enemies in the region.