Trichogramma achaeae

Trichogramma achaeae (Tricholine TA) – egg parasitoid of the tomato leafminer

Pack size: 250,000 pcs (100 cards, 2,500 individuals each), sheets

Trichogramma are minute parasitic wasps of less than 1 mm. The female lays its eggs in the eggs of the pest, destroying them and preventing the emergence of caterpillars. Tricholine TA was first developed for controlling Tuta absoluta on tomatoes, but it is now known to control a broad range of lepidopteran pests in many crops.

Target pests

• tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta),
• Duponchelia spp.,
• Chrysodeixis spp.,
• Heliothis spp.

Crops

Tomato, bell pepper, aubergine, ornamentals, tobacco, bananas and other crops.

Key features

• maximum efficiency in preventing damage: pests do not emerge from parasitised eggs,
• improved production yield,
• labour-saving in tomatoes: no need for manual sorting of the vines,
• convenient patented dispensers made of biodegradable card, hung from the plants,
• bespoke and flexible doses, suited to all surface areas from 2,500 m²,
• 100% natural with zero residues,
• a tool for resistance management, easy to adopt in an IPM strategy.

How it works

The Trichogramma larvae hatch inside the pest's eggs and consume the egg before it can develop into the caterpillar that damages the crop. Adult Trichogramma also kill host eggs by feeding on them: the egg is stung and the female feeds on the drops of liquid appearing at the site of the sting. The host egg dies leaving no evidence of parasitism.

Application

• Separate each card by gently bending and pulling it apart along the perforations.
• Hook each card directly onto a stem or branch, roughly in the middle of the plant.
• For recommended rates and full programmes, consult an advisor.

Packaging and storage

The Trichogramma are supplied as parasitised moth eggs in easy-to-use dispensers – units of 25 or 100 dispensers, each containing 2,500 Trichogramma pupae. Keep out of direct sunlight and store at around 12 °C.