Paraguay will mimic Brazilian system of earworm control

In an attempt to control Helicoverpa spp (known as the corn earworm in the US and Canada), Paraguayan authorities will adopt the Brazilian model of Integrated Pest Management. The decision was taken by the National Service of Seeds Quality and Health after an exchange was made with the Center of Researches of Embrapa Soja (the soybean unit of the Brazilian Agricultural Research corporation).

 

Earworms were detected in Brazil in February 2013, and a few months later in Paraguay. This pest can be very aggressive, especially in regions characterized by excessive use of broad-spectrum pesticides, which eliminated the natural enemies of Earworms, as occurred in northeastern of Brazil. However, in areas where integrated management is implemented, an equilibrium of the insect fauna and the impact of Helicoverpa armigera is ensured, especially in Paraná, which shares several similarities with the producing regions of Paraguay.

 

So the technicians of Paraguay's National Service decided also to implement the Brazilian model of "Good Agricultural Practices" on extensive crops at the headquarters of Embrapa in Londrina, in the state of Paraná.