title: [Detection of entomopathogen nematode [EPN - sand flies (Phlebotomus tobbi)] caught in the wild in Aydın, Kuşadası town and its assessment as a biological control agent].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, the midgut of the sand flies investigated with direct method for the presence of parasites and other organisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wild sand flies collected in Kuşadası Town-Aydın, were dissected and midgut contents were examined by light microscopy. After midgut dissection, the head and genitalia of sand fly specimens were clarified and mounted for species identification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study, a total of 1027 sand flies were dissected. Eight and two species belonging to Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia genera were determined, respectively. Phlebotomus tobbi was found to be most abundant species (61.34%). A third stage of infective Entomopathogen Nematode belonging to Steinernematidae family was observed in the hemocoel of one specimen of P. tobbi during the dissection process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first finding related to entomopathogen nematodes found in sand flies in Turkey. In the study, the sand fly fauna was determined in Kuşadası Town. For the control of sand flies, entomopathogenic nematodes which are not harmful for non-target organisms, can be used instead of chemical insecticides that can cause unknown damage in the environment.
authors.affiliation: Ege Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Biyoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye. mehmetk1986@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karakuş
authors.forename: Suha K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Arserim
authors.forename: Seray Özensoy
authors.initials: SÖ
authors.lastname: Töz
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Özbel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061046:Biological Control Agents; D009348:Nematoda / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010691:Phlebotomus / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology*; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology*; D017168:Rhabditida / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D061046:Biological Control Agents