New sustainable packaging for Macrolophus predators

Recent field trials, carried out in commercial tomato crops in Belgium and the Netherlands, have shown impressive improvements in the establishment of Macrolophus pygmaeus - due to benefits conferred by their new and improved 100% biodegradable packaging.

As part of its continuous product improvement programme, Biobest has recently launched sustainable packaging for its Macrolophus-System. The original plastic bottle, containing vermiculite carrier, has been replaced with a 100% biodegradable cardboard carton with removable lid.

The carton contains honeycomb paper - which helps protect the sensitive, delicate-winged mirid bug, which likes to hide - plus a gel formulation providing water for the adult predators during transport.

Trials programme

In the Belgium trial, led by Rob Moerkens, Macrolophus was introduced at a rate of 1.6/m². Predators supplied in the new packaging were released along full rows. Predators supplied in the old packaging format were distributed using their cardboard Bio-Boxes. The trial was replicated, with four plots in total.

To aid predator establishment, Artemac™ - the shrimp-based food source - was introduced weekly to full rows at a rate of 0.5kg/ha.

In the trial in the Netherlands, led by Gert-Jan de Vast, two separate introductions of Macrolophus were made in a commercial tomato crop at a rate of 1 predator/m². Once again, Macrolophus was supplied either in their new sustainable packaging and released in full rows, or in the old packaging and released into Bio-Boxes.

For the next two weeks the plant-based feed supplement Nutrimac™ was introduced to full rows at a rate of 0.3 kg/ha. Over the subsequent six weeks, Artemac™ was distributed full row and three rows either side at 0.5 kg/ha.

Macrolophus-System rates more than double

The results from both trials consistently showed the mean number of Macrolophus per plant where predators had been supplied in the ‘new packaging’ were significantly improved compared to the ‘old packaging’ and original release system.

In the Belgium trial, the mean Macrolophus numbers per plant for the new packaging and release system were more than double that of the old packaging and Bio-Boxes.

Figure 1: Mean number of M. pygmaeus per plant (3 leaves) in Belgian greenhouse.

Macrolophus adults were introduced at a rate of 1.6/m². The new packaging was released along full rows. The old packaging was distributed using the Bio-Boxes. Artemac™ was introduced on a weekly rate for 7 weeks, at a quantity of 0.5 kg/ha

In the Netherlands trial the improvements were even greater. Macrolophus establishment in the tomato crop was nearly three times greater where the predators had been supplied in their new and improved packaging.

Figure 2: Mean number of M. pygmaeus per plant (3 leaves) in Dutch greenhouse.

Macrolophus adults were introduced at a rate of 1/m². The new packaging was released along full rows. The old packaging was distributed using the Bio-Boxes. Nutrimac™ was introduced for 2 weeks at a quantity of 0.3 kg/ha, followed by an introduction of Artemac™ at a quantity of 0.5 kg/ha for 6 weeks

Adults arrive in optimal condition

From these results, they conclude the adaptations they have made to their new sustainable packaging for Macrolophus-System are helping to ensure adults arrive in optimal condition, improving overall product quality, boosting establishment levels and ultimately control.