Invasive insects to be detectable at border crossings

Bartın University (BARÜ) continues to add value to the agricultural future of the region and the country with its innovative work. In this context, a doctoral thesis prepared by doctoral student Ertan Albas under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Yafes Yıldız from the Department of Forest Engineering at the Bartın Faculty of Forestry aims to use detector dogs to identify invasive insect species frequently found in agricultural areas.

As part of the study, the citrus longhorned beetle (Anoplophora chinensis), which was first detected in Turkey in 2014 in the provinces of Istanbul and Bartın, was collected from hazelnut fields under the authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and subjected to testing. In the study, which has completed its first testing phase, detector dogs with superior olfactory abilities were used.

The experimental process, which lasted 2 and a half months with the contributions of dog trainer and veterinarian Tarkan Özvardar at the Ankara Dog College, consisted of two stages: teaching the scent and distinguishing the scent from others. According to the test results that continued for 8 days after the training was completed, the speed at which the trained dogs could distinguish the scent contamination reached 10 seconds. Once positive results are obtained from the field phase of the study, it is aimed to provide convenience for 'Plant Quarantine' controls carried out at border crossings.

SCENT DETECTION METHODS WILL BE USED IN DIFFERENT FIELDS

Providing information about the study, Prof. Dr. Yıldız said, "Currently, detector dogs are used for insect detection in countries such as Switzerland, Austria, Germany, the USA, and France. In Turkey, detector dogs have been used for the first time against a quarantine pest, the Anoplophora chinensis (Citrus Longhorned Beetle). Thanks to their superior sense of smell, detector dogs can detect not only substances like drugs or explosives but also insects. With the study we are conducting on invasive insects that are difficult to detect by human observation, we aim to contribute especially to hazelnut fields. At this point, I would like to thank our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akkaya, for his support of our work for the benefit of society."

Stating that he finds the visionary work carried out for the benefit of the region and the country valuable, BARÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akkaya congratulated Prof. Dr. Yafes Yıldız and doctoral student Ertan Albas for their innovative thesis work and wished them continued success.