“Terminator bugs,” or Calosoma Sycophanta, have been launched into the wild in southern Antalya province to fight an invasion of pine processionary beetles inflicting widespread harm in native forests.
The useful bugs are grown in 5 laboratories run by the Antalya Regional Directorate of Forestry. These bugs are the pure enemies of the pine processionary beetles and are launched yearly to fight the pests.
Healthier forests
With the manufacturing of the predatory terminator beetle, the rise within the inhabitants of the pine processionary beetle is prevented and it contributes to the institution of more healthy forests. Gülşen Çıkan, a forestry engineer at one of many laboratories, defined the manufacturing section: “We produce beneficial organisms against harmful organisms in the Biological Control Laboratory and release them to nature.”
Production of the useful bugs is carried out over two months. Explaining that the laboratory works at 65% humidity and 23-27 levels Celsius (73-80 levels Fahrenheit) to assist the breeding and development of the bugs, Çıkan mentioned: “The rootstocks collected from nearby forests are placed in cultivation pots containing soil. Adult specimens are introduced and soon lay eggs. Four days later, the eggs are transferred into another container and hatch. After feeding for eight days, the Calosoma Sycophanta are then left under the trees where pine processionary beetles are found in nature. Some 60,000 Calosoma Sycophanta were produced in five laboratories in Antalya within two months.”
Indicating that manufacturing continues within the 5 laboratories by the groups of the Regional Directorate of Forestry in Antalya, Çağrıan mentioned: “We produce approximately 60,000 every year.”
As a precaution, all workers working within the laboratories put on white overalls and masks to keep away from allergic reactions. “It is necessary not to come into contact with the pine processionary beetle. Contact may cause rashes,” she defined.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
