In a significant step towards the integrated struggle against the pine processionary moth, conducted under the scientific consultancy of the Near East University Faculty of Agriculture, predator insects were released into forested areas. The ongoing battle against pine processionary moths, which cause significant damage to pine trees and forest areas due to their increasing density, is supported by various institutions, including Lapta-Alsancak-Çamlıbel Municipality and Taşkent Nature Park, within the framework of the integrated struggle led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in collaboration with the Near East University Faculty of Agriculture.

 

The release of predator insects in Lapta’s forested area from the General Directorate of Forestry of Turkey was closely followed on-site by Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dursun Oğuz, Lapta-Alsancak-Çamlıbel Municipality Mayor Fırat Ataser, Director of Forest Pests Branch of the Republic of Turkey Şaban Bıyıklı, Director of the Forest Department Salih Güneş, Founding Dean of the Near East University Faculty of Agriculture Özge Özden, and Director of Taşkent Nature Park Kemal Basat.

Participating in the insect release, Prof. Dr. Salih Gücel, Deputy Dean of the Near East University Faculty of Agriculture and Director of the Cyprus Herbarium and Natural History Museum, joined with visiting master’s students from the Netherlands.

 

These efforts mark a crucial phase in the integrated struggle, aiming to mitigate the damage caused by pine processionary moths through the strategic release of predator insects, demonstrating a commitment to environmentally sustainable pest control methods.

 

More Information:

https://neu.edu.tr/predatory-insects-which-are-the-enemies-of-the-pine-processionary-insects-that-damage-the-forests-were-released-into-the-forested-areas-in-lapta/?lang=en