Turkey deploys samuray bees to combat brown marmorated stink bug in hazelnut orchards

In the Turkish Black Sea region, authorities have begun releasing samuray bees (Trissolcus japonicus) as a biological control against the brown marmorated stink bug that threatens hazelnut production. In Giresun, Governor Mustafa Koç oversaw the release of roughly 90,600 bees in 2025 and announced plans to increase the effort to about 130,000 bees this year. In Trabzon, the provincial agriculture director İsa Kaplan highlighted a target of 140,000 bees by July, noting that nationwide releases have reached 1.5 million. The bees parasitize the pest’s eggs, reducing its population without leaving chemical residues. The program is complemented by pheromone traps and limited chemical treatments in heavily infested districts such as Yomra and Çarşıbaşı. Officials emphasize farmer cooperation and integrated pest‑management calendars to protect yields that were projected to fall by up to 30 % without intervention.