Investigation of the Basic Biological Characteristics of Pochazia shantungensis Chu & Lu, 1977, in Yalova Province, Türkiye

Creative Commons License

ÇETİN G., GOKSEL P. H., Ak K., HIZAL E.

Düzce Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Ormancılık Dergisi, vol.22, no.1, pp.170-177, 2026 (TRDizin)

Abstract

Pochazia shantungensis Chu & Lu, 1977 (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) is an invasive insect species that poses a significant threat to agricultural crops and forest flora. Initially identified in İstanbul, Türkiye, in 2019, the species has since spread to a large part of the Eastern Marmara region. Detailed data on its biology and specific behaviors throughout its life cycle are important for developing sustainable management and control strategies. Therefore, a study was conducted in Yalova between 2020 and 2022 to obtain biological and morphological findings that could contribute to control practices against the pest in question. The main life stages of the insect—including egg, nymph, and adult—as well as its overall lifespan, life cycle, and number of generations were determined in 250–400 mm rectangular porous tulle bags under natural environmental conditions. The bags were placed on the annual shoots of the privet plant when the insect was in its egg stage. The findings revealed that the insect overwinters in the egg stage on host-plant shoots and undergoes five distinct nymphal instars before reaching adulthood; adults produce two generations per year. The lifespans of the first and second generations were recorded as 94 days (average temperature 18.95°C, relative humidity 70.5%) and 76 days (average temperature 22.8°C, relative humidity 70.9%), respectively. Additional findings on egg-laying behaviors were obtained during the study.