Description and Brief Bio-Ecology of Sphenoptera tragacanthae (Klug, 1829) Causing Damage to Astragalus Species in Erzurum

This study was conducted in Erzurum between April and November of 2023-2024 to provide a description and elucidate the brief biology of Sphenoptera tragacanthae (Klug, 1829) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a pest of the Astragalus gummifer Labill. (Fabales: Fabaceae) plant. The research was carried out under natural conditions through field trips to the villages of Tekederesi and Gökçeyamaç in the central district of Erzurum, conducted at 7-15 day intervals. Adults were collected from the soil surface and plant debris around the root collar of A. gummifer using an aspirator or by direct hand-picking; larvae were extracted from within the stems using forceps. All specimens were subsequently transported to the laboratory. Field studies determined that S. tragacanthae overwinters in the adult stage within the soil and plant debris surrounding the root collar of A. gummifer, and as various larval instars within galleries in the roots and branches. The first adult emergence was observed to begin in mid-May, and these individuals were subsequently found to feed on the leaves of the Astragalus plant for a period. Following mating, females deposit their eggs in clusters of 4-5 in the nodes between the needle-like leaves of the plant, commencing from the last week of May. The oviposition period lasts for 10-15 days. First-instar larvae were observed in the first week of June; upon hatching, the larvae penetrate the plant through the root and branch sections, subsequently beginning to excavate galleries and feed. Under laboratory conditions, the collected adult individuals (male and female) were placed in plastic containers to facilitate mating and oviposition. The first eggs were observed on June 4-5. Digital photographs of the adults, larvae, and eggs obtained during the study were taken under laboratory conditions. Furthermore, the genitalia of dissected male and female specimens were photographed and digitized. In conclusion, this study provides a description of S. tragacanthae feeding on A. gummifer in Erzurum and outlines its brief biology. It is anticipated that the data obtained will serve as a guide for future research on this species.