Turkey releases 1.65 million samurai wasps to combat brown marmorated stink bug

Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı announced that, as part of an integrated pest‑management plan, 1.65 million samurai wasps (Vespa velutina) will be released into the environment in 2026 to control the brown marmorated stink bug, a pest that threatens more than 300 plant species, especially hazelnuts. The programme, launched in 2025, expanded to 40 provinces and saw about 1.156 million wasps released that year; the total for 2026 will reach 1.65 million, complemented by winter‑site control actions in 859,329 households. The ministry also highlighted international cooperation, sending 20,000 wasps to Azerbaijan and providing technical support for a joint release there, while maintaining collaboration with Georgia. Additional measures include farmer education, distribution of informational brochures, and the launch of two research projects to assess economic damage and optimise chemical‑use thresholds.