A cooperation protocol was signed between Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) and the Samsun Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry to fight the invasive and destructive pest, the "brown marmorated stink bug" (Halyomorpha halys), with field measures. The signing ceremony occurred in the Senate Hall, with OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal and Samsun Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Sağlam signing the protocol. Attendees included Samsun Technopark General Manager Prof. Dr. Mevlüt Gürbüz, OMU academics, and officials from the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.

Project: Heat Traps to Combat the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

The project, developed under the protocol, proposes using "heat traps" to control the brown marmorated stink bug population, which threatens agricultural production, particularly hazelnut orchards, thus significantly contributing to ecological balance. The project is led by Dr. Fevzi Şahin from OMU's Faculty of Engineering, with participation from Prof. Dr. Mevlüt Gürbüz, Resul Kaya, and Abdulkadir Kuleyin from the Samsun Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.

Rector Ünal: "The current situation points to an acute and urgent issue"

At the signing ceremony, Rector Ünal emphasized the severe damage the pest causes to hazelnut production, saying, "Our region, especially in terms of hazelnut production, is facing a serious disaster. While it's too early to speak definitively about the results for this year, the information from producers shows that we need to treat this as a social responsibility. The current situation points to an acute and urgent issue. For this reason, we have signed a protocol with our Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry to combat this pest."

"We have initiated a process to develop new methods tailored to the region's specific conditions"

Rector Ünal also highlighted the importance of developing original methods in the fight against the pest: "Rather than using known methods, we have initiated a process to develop new methods tailored to the region’s specific conditions. Today, after the protocol signing, we will gather at OMTEL Hotel with more than ten experts from the Faculties of Pharmacy, Agriculture, Biology, and Food Engineering to brainstorm ideas for developing combat strategies and tools. We see this not only as a material issue affecting production but also as a social responsibility. The problem has become a priority in the hazelnut production areas of the Black Sea region, especially from Trabzon to Sakarya. We are dealing with a pest that is difficult to combat. If no intervention is made today, the pest's population could increase 100 or even 300 times in the future, making the problem much worse. Given the damage it causes, we must focus on this issue immediately and find a solution."

"As OMU, we will fulfill our responsibility"

Rector Ünal expressed hope and commitment to using all available resources: "We will develop new methods of combat by utilizing the knowledge and technological power at our disposal. We will analyze what the pest is attracted to, where it gathers, and how it behaves to find an effective solution. This work has officially been recorded with the signing of this protocol, and this afternoon, we will brainstorm with experts from various disciplines. As OMU, we will fulfill our responsibility. We hope that different methods of combating the pest will begin within a short period and we will see positive results. We wish to save our producers and their products from this disaster."

Director Sağlam: "Since November 2023, we have been conducting comprehensive studies to combat the pest"

Samsun Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Sağlam also shared details about the Directorate’s action plan: "A pest species known as the brown marmorated stink bug has spread from Artvin to Tekirdağ, even reaching Kırklareli. This species entered our country in 2017 and was first observed in 2019 in regions like Trabzon and Giresun. By 2021 – 2022, it was detected in our region as well. However, its population has seen a significant increase in 2023. Since November 2023, we have been conducting comprehensive studies to combat this pest. Initially, we focused on educating farmers and began winter spraying. We used monitoring traps to identify population densities in different areas. By the end of 2024, we will continue our efforts to capture and destroy pests entering winter hibernation using monitoring and pheromone traps. We have deployed 1,500 monitoring traps, particularly in districts where the pest is prevalent, such as Çarşamba, Terme, Salıpazarı, and Tekkeköy in eastern Samsun."

"We have begun working on developing a new trap and machine"

Director Sağlam emphasized that new methods and mechanisms are being developed in collaboration with OMU: "Today, we signed a protocol with OMU. Within this framework, we have begun working on a new trap and machine to collect and destroy pests. Together with OMU academics, we will conduct research on designing a machine that can be used at different elevations and times. Once a prototype is developed and positive results are obtained, we will move into production for its use in the region."

"With OMU’s support, we will strengthen this fight"

Director Sağlam concluded by stressing the importance of combating the pest for hazelnut production: "Our aim is to reduce the brown marmorated stink bug, which causes significant damage to hazelnut areas, to zero. We must not forget that 1.2 million hectares of land in our region are used for hazelnut production. Our fight against this pest will continue with determination, and we will mobilize all our resources. With OMU’s support, we will strengthen this fight. I would like to thank OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal and the university's academics for their support."

Brainstorming session at OMTEL Hotel

After the protocol signing, Rector Ünal, project team members, and officials from the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry met with OMU academics from various departments at OMTEL Hotel. During the meeting, ideas and opinions were exchanged regarding a multifaceted approach to combating the brown marmorated stink bug, and collaboration and fieldwork strategies were discussed.