Chestnut gall wasp biology, damages and control studies in chestnut areas of Trabzon province

Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) is one of the most important insect species damaging chestnut areas in Turkey. Although it was detected in Yalova in 2013, it has spread to every region of our country in the last 11 years and has become the most important pest of chestnut by negatively affecting the growth and yield of chestnut trees in the areas where it is seen. In the thesis study presented here, the spread of chestnut gall wasp in the chestnut grove areas of Trabzon Regional Directorate of Forestry, biology, the damage rate in the areas where it spreads, and the control activities carried out were examined. Within the scope of this study, it was observed that chestnut gall wasp caused damage in chestnut areas during the studies carried out in 2022-2024. In the field inspections, gal formations were observed in Yeşiltepe Chief and Esiroğlu Chief of Maçka Forest Management Directorate, Yomra Chief and Arsin Chief of Sürmene Forest Management Directorate, and in chestnut areas in Fındıklı and Ardeşen Forest Management Directorates of Pazar Forest Management Directorate in Rize province. It was determined that the damage of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in the chestnut areas of Trabzon Regional Directorate is not yet excessive and is below the economic damage threshold. Torymus sinensis Kamijo (6.422 adult), which was produced in Trabzon Regional Directorate of Forestry Laboratories, was released to the areas where Dryocosmus kuriphilus was seen within the scope of biological control.