Brazil approved bioinsecticide Nematec

Brazil has approved Embrapa’s Deladenus siricidicola-based bioinsecticide, Nematec, for the control of woodwasp. Deladenus siricidicola is a nematode parasite of the woodwasp, an invasive pest of pine trees.

 

According to Embrapa, the registration process took six years and went through several phases of analysis, including trademark registration and identity with the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI).

 

Because it is a biological control agent, the nematode Deladenus siricidicola received the recommendation to be registered via "Organic Agriculture - Phytosanitary Products with Approved Use for Organic Agriculture". Nematec is the first product with this record for use of Deladenus siricidicola.

 

The wood wasp is the main pest of pine plantations in the country. A comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is conducted by Embrapa Forests and Funcema (National Pest Control Fund) in a public-private partnership that has been in place since 1988, the year the wood wasp was introduced in the country. "The success of this program causes the pest to be under control and prevent a loss of about US$25 million annually to the forest-based sector," explained Embrapa Forests Chief Executive Edson Tadeu Lede. One of the pillars of IPM is the use of the nematode Deladenus siricidicola as a biological control agent. "We reached an average of 70% parasitism of the pest and, in some places, up to 100%. The use of Nematec is extremely effective, and does not harm the environment," he said.