18.10.2025 19:00
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has launched a campaign against the brown marmorated stink bug, which threatens agricultural production in Turkey. The ministry has implemented a National Action Plan that includes biological, biotechnical, mechanical, and chemical methods to eliminate the threat.
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The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has launched a comprehensive fight against the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), which threatens agricultural production, especially in the Black Sea Region, across the country.
Rapidly spreading in Turkey due to the effects of global climate change, the brown marmorated stink bug causes significant yield losses, particularly in hazelnut, corn, apple, pear, and vegetable production.
NATIONAL ACTION PLAN IN EFFECT
The Ministry has implemented a National Action Plan that includes biological, biotechnical, mechanical, and chemical methods to eliminate this threat.
As part of the action plan, 1,272 technical personnel are working in 46 provinces and 212 districts. So far, 69,063 producers, 1,070 press members, and 2,160 sector representatives have been informed; over 79,000 materials have been distributed in training sessions. Public service announcements are also raising awareness among citizens about the pest.
1 MILLION SAMURAI BEES RELEASED
The Ministry is conducting biological control by producing and releasing the samurai wasp, a natural enemy of the pest, into the environment. In 2024, 207,000 samurai wasps were released in 35 provinces. In 2025, the target was expanded, and a total of 1,156,000 samurai wasps were released in 40 provinces.
To reduce the pest population, 82,994 pheromone traps were sent to the Provincial Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry in 2025. Additionally, to prevent stink bugs from seeking refuge in empty buildings during winter, pest control was carried out in 1,008,000 households. The pest control efforts will continue in the 2025-2026 period as well.
"OUR WORK WILL CONTINUE WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN"
The purchase of agricultural pest control tools and equipment used against the brown marmorated stink bug has been included in the Rural Development Support Program. Additionally, pheasants produced by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks have been released into the wild, contributing to the natural balance of the ecosystem.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry emphasized that the fight against the brown marmorated stink bug will continue resolutely, stating, "The fight against the brown marmorated stink bug is of strategic importance in protecting our country's agricultural production capacity and the efforts of our producers. Our work will continue without slowing down in line with the action plan."
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