The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is a highly invasive insect species native to East Asia and poses a serious threat to agriculture and human life in Turkey. This pest, which is spreading rapidly in our country, especially along the Black Sea coast, can cause significant yield and quality losses in many agricultural products, especially hazelnuts.
Damage Caused by the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
- Agricultural Products: The brown marmorated stink bug causes serious damage to many agricultural products such as fruit trees (apple, pear, peach, cherry), vegetables (tomato, pepper, bean), corn, and soybeans. This insect, which feeds by sucking the fruits and leaves of plants, causes the fruits to deform, fall early, and even rot completely. This situation can lead to significant economic losses for farmers.
- Human Life: The brown marmorated stink bug enters houses and warehouses in search of warm and sheltered places during the winter months. This situation creates both discomfort and psychological distress for people. In addition, the bad smell emitted by stink bugs negatively affects the comfort of living spaces.
Expert Opinion
Prof. Dr. Temel Göktürk from Artvin Çoruh University draws attention to the seriousness of the brown marmorated stink bug invasion and warns that hazelnut production will be seriously affected if precautions are not taken. He also states that people are negatively affected psychologically because the insect prefers houses in winter.
Chemical Control Methods
One of the most effective methods in the fight against the brown marmorated stink bug is chemical control. The fight against insects that take shelter in houses and warehouses to overwinter, especially in autumn when the air temperature drops below 16°C, is of great importance. For this reason, with chemical control to be carried out between September and April, before the pest leaves the winter quarters, the population that will emerge next year can be reduced. For this purpose, in all areas where the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is seen, spray all surfaces and walls with 50 ML Kudos Ultra Ec product diluted with 5 liters of water for this pest that invades houses and surroundings, storage areas, and your living spaces. Repeat the process whenever necessary. Use biocides carefully as described on the label.
Conclusion
The brown marmorated stink bug invasion poses a serious threat to agriculture and human life in Turkey. To combat this pest, precautions must be taken at both individual and social levels. Experts' warnings should be taken into consideration, chemical control methods should be applied correctly and on time, and the public should be informed. Only in this way can the economic and psychological damage caused by the brown marmorated stink bug be minimized.