Wasps that contaminated biofactory converted into biopesticide

A parasitoid wasp scientifically named Habrobracon hebetor, which caused a series of disturbances in a biofactory owned by Promip three years ago, contaminating a unit dedicated to the breeding of another insect Anagasta kuehniella, the main raw material of two more macrobiological agents, Trichogramma pretiosum (Trichomip) and Orius insidiosus (Insidiomip).

After conducting monitoring and laboratory macrobiological studies, Promip managed to overcome the contamination of the biofactory, and Habrobracon hebetor changed from being the “villain” of the manufacturing of bio-inputs to a cutting-edge biological solution aimed at the natural control of pests in tobacco and stored grains, including corn, soybeans and wheat. The wasp now acts as the mechanism of action of the bioinsecticide, Bracomip, which has just been launched.

“It is in Promip’s DNA to percepieve that nature provides the best alternatives to solving agricultural obstacles that originate in nature itself,” stressed Marcelo Poletti, agronomist, entomologist and co-founder of Promip, a company that began as a startup fifteen years ago but is now among the driving forces of the Brazilian bioinput market.

According to Poletti, the new Bracomip is recommended for controlling various biological targets in different cultures, adding the wasp, Habrobracon hebetor, acts as a potent natural enemy of Ephestia elutella (tobacco moth or cocoa moth), Ephestia kuehniella (flour moth or Indian moth), Plodia interpunctella (flour moth) and Sitotroga cerealella (cereal moth).

“Tobacco moth, for example, causes direct and indirect damage, with considerable economic losses to tobacco production. Moths enter lockers and lay eggs. Larvae hatch and feed on the blade of cured tobacco leaves. In cases of serious infestation, their attacks are intense, to the point when only leaf veins and stalks remain,” Poletti stressed.

According to Poletti, Bracomip is also effective in protecting agricultural items stored in bulk and in bags, such as grains and seeds of wheat, corn, sorghum, oats, rice, rye and barley, in addition to cocoa beans and wheat and corn flour.

“In all cases, precise monitoring of the biological targets of Bracomip is necessary. The first release of Bracomip parasitoid wasps should occur at the doses recommended in the package insert as soon as the presence of pests is confirmed. This should be repeated every two weeks for two months or until complete control of the infestation is confirmed, he explained, adding Bracomip received approval from regulatory bodies last September and is already being marketed.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)