Türkiye Expands Samurai Wasp Releases to Combat Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

In a written statement, Yumaklı said the ministry's action plan employs mechanical, biotechnical, biological, and chemical methods, with samurai wasp releases carried out in affected and at-risk provinces. He noted that in 2025, the number of provinces involved rose to 40, with about 1.156 million wasps released, a parasitoid release effort that drew global attention. Yumaklı explained that biological control is prioritized in 40 provinces, while chemical control is used where populations exceed economic thresholds.

During autumn, attract-and-kill traps are deployed in contaminated areas in the Black Sea and Marmara regions. He added that winter shelter control was conducted in 859,329 households in 2026 to reduce next year's population. Türkiye also sent 20,000 samurai wasps to Azerbaijan, where the first parasitoid release was successfully carried out on July 7 with support from TAGEM's Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute staff. Two new projects will strengthen scientific efforts: one to determine economic damage thresholds and optimal chemical control timing for hazelnuts, and another to assess damage potential and critical control periods across different host plants.