Joint venture of Nitro with Vivus launches macrobiological bioinsecticide Theros

A partnership between the Brazilian multinational Nitro and Vivus has developed the macrobiological insecticide Theros (Telenomus podisi) to control eggs of the stink bug complex in soybean crops.

Created by biologist and researcher Heraldo Negri, Nitro announced to AgroPages that it has already begun large-scale commercialization of Theros in Brazil. 

According to the manufacturer, Theros was recommended for preventive stink bug management, as it controlled infestations in the egg stage, minimizing the damage caused by insects to soybean crops. The wasps from Theros parasitize stink bug eggs, causing each one to give rise to a new parasitoid, preventing the emergence of more stink bugs.

Nitro claimed that the result was an exponential increase in the Theros population and parasitism, leading to a reduction of 1 to 3 applications of chemical insecticides. It also served as a tool for managing resistant populations.

"This management is validated by more than 2,000 technical-scientific works, but large-scale production was unfeasible and only became possible due to the robust production technology developed by Vivus in partnership with Nitro, to reduce losses caused by the main soybean pest," the company stated.

Preventive management was already a reality in the 2023-2024 harvest among Brazilian producers, as some regions, such as the Midwest, for example, faced high stink bug pressure. In addition to reducing losses, producers sought a solution to control costs with chemical insecticide applications, as the total expenditure was 36% higher in the 2021-2022 harvest compared to the 2020-2021 harvest, according to Kynetec.

Pedro Torsone, Commercial Director of Nitro, stated that the launch was in line with the company's goal of supporting farmers in increasing the productivity of their crops. "We want to reach about five million hectares in sales in the coming years," the executive explained.

The market for biological inputs is growing worldwide. According to a Fortune Business Insights survey published by Forbes, the global biopesticides market is estimated to generate US$6.51 billion annually. The number is expected to reach $18.15 billion in 2029.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)

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