New record of Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel, 1859 (Hemiptera, Aphididae) in Turkey

Abstract

The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a major pest of banana, Musa spp., (Zingiberales) has worldwide distribution. This study was conducted to detect aphid species in the banana production regions of Adana, Antalya, and Mersin in Turkey. Aphid samples have been collected in total of thirty-seven locations. All the samples were identified as P. nigronervosa. Later on, molecular characterization has been done based on COI and it was recognized that the Turkish population was close to Florida and some Hawaiian genotypes. Pentalonia nigronervosa was recorded for the first time in Turkey in this study. Sustainable nature-friendly management tactics for controlling P. nigronervosa which poses less health threat to human should be developed.