31.03.2026 19:17
In Sinop, one of Turkey's important chestnut production centers, approximately 10,000 predatory insects will be released into nature this year to combat the gall wasp pest that damages chestnut trees.
In Sinop, which has 3,300 hectares of chestnut fields, the fight against the chestnut gall wasp pest continues.
ANOTHER 10 THOUSAND PREDATORY INSECTS WILL BE RELEASED INTO NATURE In this context, since 2022, 18,871 predatory insects have been released into nature in the city, and it is planned to release another 10,000 predatory insects named "torymus sinensis," produced in the Biological Control Laboratory established under the Sinop Forest Regional Directorate, in 2026.
Speaking at the "Meeting on Combating the Chestnut Gall Wasp" held at the Rahmi Demir Social Facilities of the Sinop Forest Regional Directorate under the chairmanship of Governor Mustafa Özarslan, Sinop Forest Regional Director Rıdvan Kalelioğlu stated that predatory insects known as "torymus sinensis" play an active role in the fight against the gall wasp pest, saying, "In this context, we released 2,183 torymus in 2022, 3,563 in 2023, 4,505 in 2024, and 8,620 torymus, which are insects that combat the pest, in 2025. Our province has 3,300 hectares of chestnut fields. We carry out releases every year to combat pests in these fields. We are considering releasing approximately 10,000 predatory insects in 2026. We will carry out the release in May." he stated.
FIRST OBSERVED IN 2021 Kalelioğlu mentioned that the gall wasp pest was first observed in Sinop in 2021. He stated that they immediately started fighting the pest under the coordination of the General Directorate of Forestry, and in this regard, they first opened a Biological Control Laboratory within the regional directorates.
Later, a presentation was made by the officials of the Sinop Forest Regional Directorate regarding the fight against the gall wasp pest carried out so far and the planned activities for the future.
During the meeting, Governor Özarslan listened to the requests and suggestions of the heads of agricultural chambers, beekeepers' associations, and village muhtars, and instructed the relevant parties to take necessary measures in the fight against the gall wasp pest.