The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has launched a comprehensive war across the country against the brown moth (Halyomorpha halys), which threatens agricultural production, especially in the Black Sea Region.
Brown skunks, which are spreading rapidly in Türkiye due to the effects of global climate change, cause serious losses in productivity, especially in the production of hazelnuts, corn, apples, pears and vegetables. To eliminate this threat, the Ministry has launched a National Action Plan, which includes biological, biotechnological, mechanical and chemical methods. Within the scope of the action plan, 1,272 technical staff work in 46 provinces and 212 districts. To date, 69,000 63 manufacturers, 1,070 press reporters and 2,160 industry representatives have been informed; More than 79 thousand documents were distributed during the training process. People also learn about this pest through public places. The department carries out biological control by breeding and releasing samurai bees, natural enemies of the pests, into the wild. In 2024, 207 thousand samurai bees were released into the wild in 35 provinces. In 2025, the target was increased and a total of 1 million 156 thousand samurai bees were released in 40 provinces. To reduce the number of pests, 82 thousand 994 pheromone traps were sent to the General Department of Agriculture and Forestry of the provinces in 2025. To prevent skunks from sheltering in empty buildings in winter, disinfection was carried out in 1 million 8 thousand households. Disinfection will continue during 2025-2026. The purchase of agricultural tools and equipment used to combat brown skunks is included within the scope of Rural Development Assistance. In addition, pheasants produced by the General Department of Nature Conservation and National Parks have been released into the wild, contributing to the natural balance of the ecosystem. Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry emphasized that the fight against the brown skunk will continue with determination and said: “The fight against the brown skunk is of strategic importance in protecting the agricultural production strength of our country and the labor of its producers. Our work will continue without slowing down according to the action plan.”
