Abstract:
Orosanga japonica (Melichar, 1898) (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) is an invasive species in Turkey and Caucasian area of the Palearctic. Seventeen localities were selected for molecular studies and 163 samples from Black Sea and Marmara coasts collected between 2019-2020 were evaluated for potential distribution and habitat suitability with the maximum entropy method and CORINE Land Cover (CLC) index. Molecular analysis revealed two haplotypes for mitochondrial cytochrome b and three for cytochrome oxidase I gene regions. The phylogenetic trees showed similarities for the tested gene regions and samples stated the Ricania and Pochazia samples. Trabzon population, which is showed to be the main population for Giresun, Sinop, D??zce and Zonguldak populations. Hap 3 was found only Rize, Trabzon and ??stanbul populations. The results indicated that movement of the species was caused by human activity. Precipitation and temperature were found to be the most important parameters for the distribution of O. japonica. The whole level of CLC index indicated the distribution of O. japonica had significant differences between the Marmara and three Black Sea areas. The results indicated that agricultural areas are important for the distribution O. japonica at CLC level 1. Past and present records of the host plants indicated that O. japonica threatens wide range of plants along the Black Sea and Marmara coasts of Turkey.