Comparative Analysis of Tea Pest Entomofauna and Infestation Dynamics in the Black Sea Basin of Georgia and Turkey

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of arthropod pests affecting tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) in the Eastern
Black Sea basin, specifically in Georgia (Khelvachauri-Kobuleti) and Turkey (Artvin-Rize). Field surveys conducted during the
2024-2025 growing seasons involved systematic sampling across ten representative tea estates. A total of 16 arthropod species
were identified. Species richness was higher in Georgia (16 species) than in Turkey (10 species), likely due to microclimatic
conditions and agricultural management. Six key species Helopeltis theivora, Homona coffearia, Empoasca onukii,
Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Parametriotes theae, and Pulvinaria floccifera were identified as having major phyto-sanitary
significance, directly affecting the vegetative development and quality of the tea flushes. This research provides a scientific
baseline for transboundary Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the region.