The lepidopteran pests of sweet potato: First record of Helcystogramma triannulella (Herrich-Schäffer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) with population development and natural enemies in Turkey 1 Tatli patatesteki zararli lepidopterler: Türkiye'de Helcystogramma triannulella (Herrich-Schäffer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)'nin ilk kaydi, popülasyon gelişmesi ve doğal düşmanlari

Summary The study was conducted in Hatay Province, east Mediterranean Region, Turkey in 2012 and 2013 to determine major lepidopteran pests of sweet potato and to document the population development of the newly recorded species Helcystogramma triannulella (Herrich-Schaffer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in 2013. Four lepidopteran species, Aedia leucomelas (L.) (Noctuidae), Agrius convolvuli (Linnaeus) (Sphingidae), Hydriris ornatalis (Duponchel) (Crambidae) and H. triannulella were found. This was the first detection of H. triannulella in Turkey, so its population development was studied in the second year. The larval population of H. triannulella began to increase towards the end of July and reached its peak in mid-August. During the study, predators, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), Oenopia conglobata (L.), Scymnus interruptus (Goeze), Scymnus mediterraneus Khnzorian, Stethorus gilvifrons (Mulsant) (Coleoptera; Coccinellidae); Nabis viridulus Spinola (Hemiptera: Nabidae) were found in the folded parts of the leaves, and parasitoids, Apanteles sp., Chelonus sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Compsilura concinnata (Meigen) (Diptera: Tachinidae) were obtained in the laboratory from larvae of H. triannulella.