An institute affiliated with the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has launched a project comparing different release methods for samurai wasps used in the biological control of brown marmorated stink bugs.
In the project, which is planned to last about two years, samurai wasps are being released at gardens and hazelnut orchards at different locations both as adult insects and as eggs parasitized by brown marmorated stink bugs. The study will examine the emergence density of samurai wasps in areas where both methods are used.
Two release methods to be compared
Yusuf Bilgen, director of the Hazelnut Research Institute, said the study, coordinated by the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, aims to determine whether releasing samurai wasps as parasitized eggs or as adult insects is more effective.
Bilgen said the number of samurai wasps emerging from parasitized brown marmorated stink bug eggs will be determined, and the results will be used in release efforts.
Samurai wasp production continues
Bilgen said 1.65 million samurai wasps produced this year under the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies had been released into the wild in 40 provinces. He said the new project was being carried out alongside adult wasp releases to achieve more effective results.
As part of the project, which involves 10 staff members at the institute, brown marmorated stink bugs collected in the field are being allowed to lay eggs in laboratory conditions, and samurai wasp production efforts are continuing.