Determination of the effects of some entomopathogenic bacteria on Chestnut Gal Bee (Dryocosmus Kuriphilus, Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae))

Gals are tumor-like swelling caused by the growth of plant tissue under the influence of various organisms, particularly insects. The gal formation of the female gal bee occurs when the egg is placed on the leaf, bud, shoot, root or fruit. Gals provides feeding and shelter for the larvae of gal bees in the chambers inside. When they hatch, the larvae develop by eating the surrounding gal tissue. Mature bees cut off the walls of the gal with their mouths in the form of circular exit tunnels come out. In this study, it has been seen that chestnut gal wasp causes damage in chestnut fields of Bursa Regional Directorate of Forestry and it has been tried to investigate biological control possibilities. Gal samples were taken from İnkaya Village on 10-15 May 2019 at chestnut flora which started at an altitude of 572 m determined by Bursa Regional Directorate of Forestry. Gal samples were then taken to the laboratories of Bursa Regional Directorate of Forestry. The gales brought in the laboratory were opened and the larvae were observed. In practice, 5 different bacterial specimens (Brevibacillus brevir, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kenyae, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstakii, Bentar, Bacillus subtilis) were sprayed on the larvae of chestnut gal wasp to determine the most effective one. Application results showed that 96% of the bacteria Bacillus suptilis killed the larvae of chestnut gal bee. Other entomopathogens used in the application, Brevibacillus brevis 84%, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kenyae 82%, Bentar 90%, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstakii caused 94% deaths. As a result of the study, it has been determined that the bacteria have fatal effects on chestnut gal wasp under laboratory conditions.