In Manisa wurde die Freisetzung von ‘Samurai-Wespen’ gegen die invasiven Stinkwanzen durchgeführt.

In cooperation between the Manisa Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and the Bornova Agricultural Research Institute, a release of a thousand eggs of the Samurai Wasp, a biological agent against the brown marmorated stink bug, was carried out.

Speaking at the program held in the Gediz area of Yağcılar Village in the Yunusemre district, Manisa Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Metin Öztürk stated that the Samurai Wasp is the primary enemy of the brown marmorated stink bug. Emphasizing the importance of preventing yield and quality losses for producers in Manisa, due to the wide range of products and significant export items of the region, Öztürk pointed out that through the release of the Samurai Wasp within the scope of biological control, it is possible to parasitize the eggs of the brown marmorated stink bug in nature and thus control the pest population.

Stressing their focus on biological control in production, Metin Öztürk stated, “Building awareness about biological control methods, introducing alternative control methods to producers to reduce chemical control, thus reducing input costs, protecting the environment and soil, we attach importance to biological control in our province and carry out studies towards its implementation on every occasion. In this context, in 2023, we conducted the release of 485 specimens and most recently on 23.02.2024, the release of a thousand red-legged partridges.”

The program was attended by Manisa Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Metin Öztürk, Bornova Agricultural Research Institute Director Tevfik Turanlı, Deputy Director Serdar Mersinli, Head of Plant Production and Plant Health Branch Gökmen Kaya, Head of Biological Control Department at Bornova Agricultural Research Institute Bilgin Güven, Yunusemre District Director of Agriculture and Forestry Bülent Güleç, experts from Bornova Agricultural Research Institute and provincial-district directorates, as well as producers.

About the brown marmorated stink bug:

The brown marmorated stink bug is a destructive, invasive, and polyphagous pest that causes significant losses in agricultural production. Being able to feed on more than 300 plant species, the invasive insect’s adults’ ability to fly long distances facilitates its spread. The brown marmorated stink bug is harmful to many fruit and vegetable species, with hazelnut, apple, pear, peach, walnut, persimmon, corn, beans, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants being among its most important hosts. By sucking juices from fruits and vegetables, it poses a risk of yield and quality loss for many products.