Molecular identification and biodiversity of wireworm species,<i> Agriotes</i> spp. Eschscholtz, 1829 (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in major potato cultivated areas of Turkiye

Wireworms, Agriotes spp. Eschscholtz, 1829 (Coleoptera: Elateridae) are among the most harmful soil-borne insect pests and significantly reduce potato yields under heavy infestations. The presence of wireworm species on potatoes in potato growing areas is not fully known in the provinces of Turkiye. Therefore, this research aimed to identify wireworms molecularly and evaluate their biodiversity in potato growing ecosystems. Here, the first extensive field survey was carried out in Turkiye's principal potato-growing regions in 2019 and 2020 (Afyon, Bolu, Izmir, Kayseri, Konya, Nigde, and Sivas). Species identification of wireworms was performed using DNA barcoding approach based on the fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). Samples were collected from 400 potato fields, and 510 larval specimens were obtained. The presence of wireworms was confirmed for Afyon, Bolu, Kayseri, Konya, and Sivas provinces, with an average prevalence of 13.5%, while no positive samples were recovered from Nigde and Izmir. Agriotes sputator (L.,1758) (Coleoptera: Elateridae) was the most prevalent species in surveyed areas. The Shannon index of wireworm species was found to be as 0.59, which implies a low degree of biodiversity of wireworms in potato fields.