Development Of A Large Scale Pilot Production Facility For The Lepidopteran Egg Parasitoid Trichogramma Spp.
Bio-protection Pty Ltd of Warwick Qld has established a pilot production insectary to mass rear Trichogramma ssp. Wasps for use in horticultural crops. The wasps are about .25mm long and kill Lepidopteran pests by paratising their eggs. Two species T.nr.brassicae and T.funiculatum are now being produced. In a range finding, trial conducted by Peter Bailey of the Department of Primary Industries South Australia, T.funiculatum showed commercial potential against Light Brown Apple Moth in a vineyard at Coonawarra.