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This study has been carried out in the years of 2016–2017 to determine biological parameters of Capsodes infuscatus Brulle (Hemiptera: Miridae) on asphodel (Asphodelus aestivus Broth.) in the pastures of Canakkale, Turkey. In order to determine the population fluctuation of C. infuscatus, counting was done twice in a week on leaves, stems and flowers of plants in two different locations in the pasture. It was determined that the C. infuscatus aestivates in dried asphodel stalks as eggs. The first nymphal stages can be seen at the end of February, while adult population ends at the end of May. It was observed that both the nymphal and adult stages of C. infuscatus were feeding together on A. aestivus from March to May. In 2016, an average of 7.86%, 57.26%, 8.72% and 34.12% C. infuscatus individuals were recorded on plant, leaves, stems and flowers, respectively. In 2017, an average of 22.08%, 67.5%, 15.0% and 17.56% C. infuscatus individuals were recorded on plant, leaves, stems and flowers, respectively. The mortality rates of C. infuscatus nymphal stages were 94.76% in grazing area and 95.77% in non‐grazing area. We concluded that C. infuscatus has potential for the biological control of A. aestivus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to obtain work efficiency, energy of labor force, and some physico-mechanical properties such as skin failure, tensile force and the ratio of fruit mass to tensile force for harvesting of apple, peach, apricot, cherry and plum. Mechanical properties were analysed through the puncture test and tensile test. According to the measuring and results of evaluation, work efficiency ranged from 10.26 to 230.97 kg/h for all fruits. Energy of labor force was beetwen 11.58 and 260.22 MJ/ton for all fruits. The highest energy of labor force was determined for cherry harvest. The ratio of fruit mass to tensile force was higher than 1 for all fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]