INFLUENCE OF COTTON SOWING DATE ON THE ABUNDANCE OF WESTERN FLOWER THRIPS (Frankliniella Occidentalis) AND ITS PREDATORY BUGS Orius SPP. IN ÇUKUROVA REGION OF TURKEY

Abstract

Influence of different cotton sowing dates on densities of pestiferous thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) and its predators Orius spp. [Orius niger Wolff and Orius laevigatus (Fieber)] is not clearly understood. The aim of this study is to find best sowing date of cotton to manage populations of thrips and to find out prey-predator interactions in cotton flowers by use of plastic mulching technique. Field experiments were conducted in the Çukurova region of Turkey during the years