Bio-pesticide

The term biopesticides defines compounds that are used to manage agricultural pests
by means of specific biological effects rather than as broader chemical pesticides. It
refers to products containing biocontrol agents – i.e., natural organisms or substances
derived from natural materials (such as animals, plants, bacteria, or certain minerals),
including their genes or metabolites, for controlling pests. Biopesticide can be
classified as follows:
Microbial pesticides : pesticides that contain microorganism, like bacteria, fungi, or
virus, which attack specific pest species, as active ingredients. Although most of these
agents attack insect species (called entomopathogens; products referred to as
bioinsecticides), there are also microorganisms (i.e., fungi) that control weeds
(bioherbicides).
Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs): these include pesticidal substances that are
produced in genetically modified plants/organisms (GMO) (i.e., through the genetic
material that has been incorporated into the plant).
 Bio-pesticide

Biochemical pesticides: pesticides based on naturally occurring substances

that control pest by non-toxic mechanisms. Biochemical pesticides fall into different
biologically functional classes, including pheromones, and other semiochemicals, plant
extracts, and natural insect growth regulator.
 Microbial pesticides: Bacillus thuringiensis
Bacillus thuringiensis (or Bt) is a gram positive, soil-dwelling bacteria (microbe). It is
naturally found in soil. During Sporulation, many B. thuringiensis strains produce
crystal proteins that are toxic to insects larvae. The protein, also known as Bt toxin,
is produced in an inactive, crystalline form. When consumed by insects, the protein is
converted to its active, toxic form (delta endotoxin), which in turn destroys the gut of
the insect.
It is also called crystal proteins or Cry proteins which are encoded by cry genes. In
most strains of B. thuringiensis, the cry genes are located on a plasmids (cry is not a
chromosomal gene in most strains).
Cry toxins have specific activities against insect species specially for the orders
Lepidoptera. They are target specific. They are used as specific insecticides under
trade names such as DiPel and Thuricide. Because of their specificity, these
pesticides are regarded as environmental friendly, with little or no effect on
humans, wildlife, pollinators, and other beneficial insects, and are used in organic
farming.
 Microbial pesticides: Bacillus thuringiensis
How does Bt work?
Bt has to be eaten to cause mortality. The Bt toxin dissolve in the high pH insect gut
(Alkaline) and become active. The toxins then attack the gut cells of the insect,
punching holes in the lining. The Bt spores spills out of the gut and germinate in the
insect causing death within a couple days. Even though the toxin does not kill the
insect immediately, treated plant parts will not be damaged because the insect stops
feeding within hours. Bt spores do not spread to other insects or cause disease
outbreaks on their own.
Bt action is very specific. Different strains of Bt are specific to different receptors in
insect gut wall. Bt toxicity depends on recognizing receptors, damage to the gut by the
toxin occurs upon binding to a receptor. Each insect species possesses different types
of receptors that will match only certain toxin proteins, like a lock to a key.
It is because of this that farmers have to be careful to match the target pest species
with a particular Bt toxin protein which is specific for that insect. This also helps the
beneficial insects because they will usually not be harmed by that particular strain
of Bt.
 Microbial pesticides: nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV)
The nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV), is a virus having insecticidal properties, predominantly
affecting the moth and butterflies. The poly hedral capsid from which the virus gets its name
is an extremely stable protein srystal that protects the virus in the external environment. It
dissolves in the alkaline midgut of moths and butterflies to release the virus particle and
infect the larva.
Symptoms of NPV infection in insects include:
Discoloration (brown and yellow)
Stress
Decomposition (liquedification)
slow movement to no movement at all; refusal to eat)
The virus enters the nucleus of infected cells and reproduces until the cell begins to produce
crystals in the fluids of the host. These crystals can transmit the virus from one host to
another. The host becomes visibly swollen with fluid containing the virus, and eventually dies,
turning black with [Link] in infected insects is nearly 100%.
The virus is unable to infect humans in the way it does insects, because human stomachs are
acid-based and NPV requires an alkaline digestive system in order to replicate. It is possible
for the virus crystals to enter human cells, but not to replicate to the point of causing illness
 Mass production of Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV)
Materials required: Agar-agar : 12.75g
Gram floor (Besan) : 105g
Methyl Para Hydroxyl Benzoate : 2g
Yeast powder : 10g
Ascorbic acid : 3.5g
Sorbic acid : 1g
Streptomycin : 0.25g
Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus
Multi vitamin : 2 capsule
Vitamin-E (400 mg) : 1 capsule
Distilled water : 390 ml
Centrifugal machine
Glass vials
Muslin cloth
 Methodology
• Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) is host specific for Spodoptera
litura and Helicoverpa armigera. NPV is a stomach poison. NPV is effective
when it is ingested by the larvae. The mass production of NPV of H.
armigera and S. litura is same except H. armigera is reared in individual vial
to avoid cannibalism. The NPV of these pests can be produced by using both
natural as well as artificial diet contaminated with the respective NPV. The
third instar larvae of these pests either collected from field or reared in the
laboratory are allowed to feed the contaminated diet. Keep larvae hungry
for 24 hours before inoculation of virus. Larvae get infected with virus within
3-4 days and hang themself upside down in tubes. These infected larvae are
collected in a beaker containing water for 3-4 days for putrification. The
putrified larvae are crushed with the help of mixer cum grinder by adding
some water. This solution is filtered with the help of muslin cloth and add
more water, if required. The filtered extract solution is centrifuged (30,000
RPM) to separate the polyhedral of NPV from the solution. The polyhedral is
separated from the water and is ready to use.
 Beauveria bassiana
• Beauveria bassiana is a fungus that grows naturally in soils throughout
the world and acts as a parasite on various insects species, causing white
muscardine disease; it thus belongs to the entomopathogenic fungi. It is
being used as a biological insecticide to control a number of pests such
as termites, thrips, whitefly, aphids and different beetles.
White muscardine disease: The insect disease caused by the fungus is a
muscardine which has been called white muscardine disease. When the
microscopic spores of the fungus come into contact with the body of an
insect host, they germinate, penetrate the cuticle, and grow inside, killing
the insect within a matter of days. Afterwards, a white mold emerges from
the cadaver and produces new spores. A typical isolate of B. bassiana can
attack a broad range of insects; various isolates differ in their host range.
The factors responsible for host susceptibility are not known.
 Mass production of Beauveria bassiana
• Materials required: Sorghum, Water, Chalk powder, Autoclave
Methodology: Soak 1 Kg of Sorghum in water for 48 hours. Replace water after
24 hrs, after 48 hrs. rinse water completely. Separate equally in 10-15 flasks
and plug with hard cotton cushion and wrap with double aluminum foil.
Sterilize for 40 minutes with 21 psi. Inoculate the each flask containing jowar
with 2-3 drop of nucleus culture after cooling. Beauveria culture will grow fully
after 20-25 days. Mix 2 Kg of chalk powder in Beauveria culture and dry in
shade.
Dose: 1 gram/liter of water or 1 Kg/1000 liter of water/ha (Repeat application
after 10-20 days interval). Beauveria bassiana can be used as a biological
insecticide to control a number of pests such as termites, whiteflies, and many
other insects. As an insecticide, the spores are sprayed on affected crops as an
emulsified suspension or wettable powder. The fungus rarely infects humans
or other animals, so it is generally considered safe as an insecticide.
 Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs)
• Plants can be given genes that help the plants' bodies make substances to
fight pests. These self-made pesticides are called "plant-incorporated
protectants" (PIPs). PIP-producing crops are sometimes called "genetically
modified" (GM) or "genetically engineered" (GE) plant.
• PIPs can help plants resist viruses, bacteria and insects. When PIP crops
target insects, they can be called "insect-resistant." PIP-producing plants can
help growers lower the amount of pesticides they use on their fields.
• Some of the crops that can be made to produce PIPs are corn, soybeans,
cotton, potatoes and plums. However, this does not mean that all of the
crops (corn, soybean, etc.) you see in farmers' fields are making their own
pesticides. Other forms of these crops are still conventionally or organically
grown.
Example of Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs): Bt cotton, Bt Maize. Bt
cotton, a genetically modified (GM) crop in which a gene for the Bt pesticidal
protein was introduced to the plant's own genetic material.
 Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs)
• PIP plants are regulated as pesticides by the Authority. Authority looks at the
risks of each PIP before it can be registered as a pesticide. This review aims to
protect human and environmental health. The following factors are
considered in these reviews:
✔ Risks to human health and the environment — including plants, animals and
other living things that are not the pests
✔ What to do if pest insects develop the ability to recover from the plant-made
pesticides. This ability is called "insect resistance" or "pesticide resistance."
✔ The chance that PIP genes could spread to other plants
Another genetic modification: Herbicide-tolerant plants
• Herbicide-tolerant (HT) plants have their genes changed to make them
survive the use of specific weed [Link] plants are sometimes called
genetically modified or genetically engineered.
 Botanical insecticides
Botanical insecticides: The botanicals are plant products that have
been used as insect repellents in our country from ancient times. Plants
yields the following products that are used in insect control;
(I) Toxicants or insecticides
(II) Attractants (Geraniol, Eugenol)
(III) Repellents (Oil of citronella and ceder)
(IV) Solvent for insecticides (Cotton seed oil)
(V) Dust carrier (Soybean and walnut shell flours)
Example of Some botanical pesticides along with their properties,
formulation, target insects, advantages and disadvantages are as
follows:
 Botanical insecticides
1. Nicotine (C10H14N2 ) : Tobacco was used in insect control in France
from early 1800 Its active ingredient was isolated, identify and
named as nicotine. The tobacco plants contains 12 alkaloids of
which nicotine, nornicotine and anabasine posses as insecticidal
properties. There are several species of tobacco plants but only
two, namely, Nicotiana tabacum and N. rustica are used for
extraction of Nicotine.
Properties: Pure nicotine is a colourless liquid soluble in water and in
most organic solvents darkens and becomes viscous on exposure to air.
It has low toxicity to plants, more to insects and the most to mammals.
In insect, it acts as contact and stomach poison affecting the nervous
systems. LD50 (Lethal dose) for aphid is 48.
 Botanical insecticides
1. Formulation: Nicotine is used as dust, spray and fumigant. The
compound that is commercially sold is nicotine sulphate ( contains
40 percent nicotine) which readily dissolved in water. As dust,
either crude tobacco is finely ground and mixed with a carrier.
As spray, one part of nicotine sulphate is dissolved in 500-1000 parts of
water
Target pests: Soft bodies sucking insects like aphids, thrips and scale
insects.
Advantage: Nicotine leaves no harmful residue
Disadvantage: Nicotine is highly toxic to mammals
 Botanical insecticides
2. Pyrethrum or Pyrethrins: Pyrethrum is obtained from the white
flower of Crysanthemum. The active ingredients of pyrethrum are six
esters: Pyrethrin I and II, Cinerin I and II, Jasmoline I and II whose
structural formulae are similar.
Properties: This is a contact insecticide affecting the nervous system.
The affected insect gets paralysed and quickly falls to the ground. This
action is termed as “ knock down” which does not lead to immediate
death and some insect may recover after a knock-down. Its LD50 for
housefly is 31 and for the bedbug 5.
Formulations: Pyrethrum is formulated as dust by grinding dried
flowers and mixing the powder with a non-alkaline carrier, as a spray
by extracting the active materials in solvents and as aerosols. A
synergist is usually added to increase its toxicity.
 Botanical insecticides
Targets: The target encompass a wide range. Pyrethrum is particularly
effective on ectoparasites like chewing lice of livestocks and on aphids.
It is also used as insect repellent. When mixed with grain, it protect the
store grain pests.
Advantages: (i) Pyrethrum posses a quick knock down powder
(ii) affect wide range of insects.
(iii) It has low plant and mammalian toxicity- only
insecticides approved in USA for use in food packaging.
(IV) It don't have any residual effect
Disadvantages: Pyrethrum is unstable and decomposed by sunlight
(II) It is expensive
 Botanical insecticides
3. Rotenone: The plant contained a chemicals that is known as
rotenone. It was first used as insecticides against caterpillar.
Properties: pure rotenone is a white, crystalline substance, insoluble in
water and soluble in organic solvent. Rapidly decomposed by light snd
alkalis. It is both contact and stomach poison which affects respiration
by the inhibition of O2 utilization by the body cells resulting in the
death of the insect. LD50 for B. mori is 3.
Formulations: It is formulated as dusts, WDP, EC and aerosols. Dust is
prepared by adding rotenone powder with 3-7 parts of a carrier like
talc, clay or gypsum never with alkaline carrier like lime. Dust are
effective in case of ectoparasite
 Botanical insecticides
Targets: Rotenone is effective against aphids, ectoparasite, pests of
vegetables and ornamentals plant. The crystalline form is also used in
moth proofing.
Advantages: It is harmless to animals, man and plants and no residual
effect.
Disadvantages: It has low toxicity to some insect.
 Botanical insecticides
4. Sabadilla: This is prepared from the seed of Amarican plant, Sabadilla
Officinale. A crude mixture of the plant alkaloids from subadilla seed is termed
as veratrine which contains several alkaloids, of which cevadine and veratridine
are toxic to insects.
Properties: Toxic principles of Sabadilla are easily destroyed by light. The
toxicants acts both as contact and stomach poison.
Formulations: This is formulated as dusts and sprays. Dusts are prepared by 5 to
20 percent ground seed of S. officinale mixed with a carrier like lime or sulphur.
Spray are prepared as 50 percent WDP.
Target: Human lice and thrips.
Advantages: It is safe for food crop
Disadvantages: It is unstable (II) It has low insect toxicity (III) It is toxic to
mammals
 Botanical insecticides
5. Acorus: Sweetflag or Acorus Calamus has insecticidal properties. A
mixture of powdered rhizome and powdered seeds affords protection
against stored grain pests. A mixture of its powder, water and soap can be
used as spray against aphids and caterpillars. Essential oil extracted from
the Acorus rhizome found to produce sterility in insect. This property can
also be used to control pests.
 Botanical insecticides
6. Neem: Neem or Azadirachta indica belongs to Meliaceae family have insecticidal
properties.
Active Ingredient: Seed is the main source for active ingredient. Apart from seed, bark
and leaf can be used for the same. The different active compound found in leaves are
Salannin, Azadirachtin, Azadiradion, Deacetylnimbinen, gedunin etc. Azadirachtin is the
main active compound.
Effect of neem derivatives: Neem derivatives do not kill insect outright as do the
chemical pesticides. The modify the insect’s behavior and influence their biological
process . The example of these effects are as follows:
1. Antifeedant or phagodeterrent effect
2. Oviposition inhibiting effect:
3. Growth and metamorphosis inhibiting effect
4. Effect on fecundity and egg sterility
5. Miscellaneous effect
 Other type of insecticides: Semiochemicals
Chemical communication plays an important and essential role in the
survival of insects, which enable them to appraise immediate environment
through modification of their behavior. Semiochemicals are organic
compounds used by insects to convey specific chemical messages that
modify behavior or physiology. The term semiochemical is derived from
the Greek word “semeon” which means sign or signal. Insects use
semiochemicals to locate mate, host, or food source, avoid competition,
escape natural enemies, and overcome natural defense systems of their
hosts. Semiochemicals have the advantage of being used to communicate
message over relatively long distances compared with other insect means
of communication such as touch. Semiochemicals have different molecular
weights depending on carbon chain. They are biologically active at very
low concentration in the environment, thus their chemical
characterization is complicated.
 Other type of insecticides: Semiochemicals
Equipment items include solid-phase microextraction (SPME), gas
chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAG), gas
chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic
resonance (NMR) etc are needed for extraction and chemical
characterization of semiochemicals.
Semiochemicals are species-specific and harmless to the environment.
These advantages over conventional insect pest control agents make
semiochemicals promising tools for the management of agricultural pests
particularly under organic cropping systems.
 Identification and behavioral characterization of
semiochemicals
• Identifying the range of volatiles that insects can detect in their environment is an important step
toward understanding the role of olfaction in modulating insect behavior. The process of
semiochemical identification involves extraction or headspace collection, identification of active
compounds, characterization of chemical composition of the identified compound, and
elucidation of behavioral response of the insect to the active product. If the organ that produces
the semiochemical is known, for example, the exocrine gland or the gut of the insect, it can be
extracted and identified. However, nonrelevant compounds can also be extracted, which
complicate the identification process. Accordingly, headspace collection is preferred instead
where a charcoal-filtered air is passed over the insect or its organ in an isolated aeration chamber
and the odor-laden air is withdrawn by vacuum for analysis. The air containing a mixture of
volatiles can be analyzed per se or after being absorbed by super Q using columns. In the 1950s, it
has been discovered that a measurable voltage arised between the tip and base of the insect
antenna when exposed to odors of biological significance for the insect. This antennal response to
different odors is known as electroantennogram or EAG. This voltage is thought to represent the
summed potentials of multiple responding olfactory neurons within the antenna, and the
amplitude of the voltage roughly corresponds to an insect’s sensitivity to a particular compound.
The EAG has been widely used in entomology for pheromones’ identification. The
electroantennogram was improved through time and the insect antenna has been used as a
detector (EAD) for a capillary-column gas chromatography, which is coupled with the flame
ionization detector (FID) that is sensitive to all organic molecules.
 Identification and behavioral characterization of
semiochemicals
• The GC-EAD is gas chromatography coupled with electroantennographic detection of compounds
present in complex mixtures. This analytical procedure allows for rapid and accurate identification of
insect odors. It is widely used to discover and identify semiochemicals like insect pheromones and
repellents . The apparatus consists of injector (heated chamber), the column (10–100 m long, 1 mm
wide) lined with a semisolid wax or polymer, flame ionization detector, insect antennal preparation,
and a monitor to display the voltage output of the detector and the insect antenna (voltage on the
Y-axis against time on the X-axis). Retention time and peak of each molecule give the identity and
amount of the compound in the mixture, respectively. The FID output can be used to confirm the
presence, identity, and quantity of compounds exposed to the antenna while the antennal (EAD)
output indicates the presence/absence of olfactory sensitivity to eluting compounds and provides a
relative measure of the intensity of olfactory stimulation. The FID peaks of the test compounds can be
compared with retention times of those of commercially available versions of the same compounds
injected into the GC. Identifications can be confirmed by re-analyzing the extract with a coupled gas
chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) using the same column and GC operating parameters as
used in the GC-EAD analysis. Testing the behavioral activity of EAD-active volatiles is an important and
complementary step in the identification of semiochemicals that modify insect behavior. This
behavioral bioassay test can be carried out using wind tunnel or an olfactometer
 Potential use of semiochemicals in insect pest management
• Attract and kill (A&K)
• The technique as the name implies simply use an attractant or
semiochemical to lure an insect to a point source that contains a killing
agent (insecticide, pathogen, or sterilant), hence the technique is termed
attract and kill, attract and infect, and attract and sterilize, respectively.
The technique leads to the reduction of the insect population by killing
the target insect or reducing its fitness and fecundity or disabling it by
causing disease.
• Mating disruption
The technique is most commonly used in semiochemical-based pest
management. It manipulates insect behavior in such a way that leads to
population reduction. The environment where specific insect pest needs to
be controlled is saturated with synthetic sex pheromones so that the
abilities of males to locate the natural pheromone plume emitted by
 Potential use of semiochemicals in insect pest management
• females are disrupted. Mating disruption using synthetic pheromones or
parapheromones does not completely shut off mating, but the delay in
females mating may reduce their fecundity by approximately 50%. Insect
females have a critical time to mate and reproduce and any delay of
mating may affect their fitness and their abilities to select the suitable
sites for oviposition .
 Trichogramma egg parasite - Mass production
• Introduction: Trichogramma spp. belongs to the category of egg parasitoid of
biological agents. Trichogramma spp., the most widely used bio-control agent
in the world and is effective against bollworms of cotton, stem borers of
sugarcane, fruit borers of fruits and vegetables. It attacks the pest at the egg
stage itself and hence damage done by larvae is avoided. It offers a lower cost
but more effective plant protection option in comparison to insecticides. Two
species i.e., T. chilonis and T. japonicum are predominantly used in India.
Trichogramma are dark coloured tiny wasps and the female wasp lays 20-40
eggs into the host's eggs. The entire cycle is completed within 8-12 days. The
tiny adult wasps search for the host (pest) eggs in the field and lay their eggs
into the eggs of the pests. The parasitised host's eggs turn uniformly black in
3-4 days. The Trichogramma eggs on hatching, feed the embronic contents of
host's egg, completes its development and adult comes out of the host egg by
chewing a circular hole. A single Trichogramma, while multiplying itself, can
thus destroy over 100 eggs of the pest.
 Trichogramma egg parasite - Mass production
• 2. Major equipment needed
• Equipments like semi-automatic corcera rearing cages, trays, iron racks, hot
air oven, air conditioner, UV chamber, incubator, moth breeding tins, grinder,
mating chambers, parasitization jars, refrigerator, wire mesh, netlon etc. are
required for mass rearing of corcera and Trichogramma production.
• 3. Steps involved in production
• i) Identification of host
• The Trichogramma of multiplication starts with identification of a suitable
host species, with the following characteristics :
• easily available.
• easy to culture with the locally available material.
• should yield maximum host egg/larvae/pupae per unit cost.
 Trichogramma egg parasite - Mass production
• In India Corcera cephalonica, a stored grain pest has been used for mass multiplication of targetted
species.
• ii) Rearing of host insect
• The host rearing containers are made of materials which are non-toxic, cheap and optimum sized to permit
mating and host searching and amenable to easy cleaning. Most commonly used cages are wooden cages,
which are now replaced with semi automatic corcyra rearing cages. The nuclear culture, i.e. eggs of Corcyra
cephalonica are introduced in rearing cages. In the model use of semiautomatic rearing cages of 30 no. is
considered.
• iii) Preparation of feed material
• Corcyra feed may be prepared from bold white sorghum grains without any insecticide residues. This can be
tested by taking a sample of 100 g from each bag. The crushed sample is fed to 20 number of 1st/2nd instar
Corcyra larvae for 2-3 days. Based on the mortality of the larvae, suitability of grains may be decided. The
requisite quantum of sorghum is milled to make 3-4 pieces of each grain. Sorghum grains are heat sterilised in
oven at 100°C for 30 minutes and the grains are sprayed with 0.1% formalin. This treatment helps in
preventing the growth of moulds as well as to increase the grain moisture to the optimum (15-16%), which
was lost due to heat sterilisation. Then grains are air dried.
 Trichogramma egg parasite - Mass production
• iv) Corcyra charging
• In each rearing cage, 7.5 kg of sorghum grains are filled and charged with 0.5cc eggs (1cc = 20,000 eggs) of
mother culture. Yeast, groundnut kernel and streptomycin is added to enhance egg laying capacity of the
adult moths and for enriching the diet.
• v) Collection of moths
• After about 40 days of charging, moths start emerging and the emergence continues for two months. 10 to 75
moths emerge daily with the peak emergence being between 65th and 75th day.
• Collect the moths daily and transfer to the specially designed oviposition cages for egg laying. Roughly
2000-3000 pairs of moth can be placed in one chamber. Moth emergence reduces after 100 days of initial
infestation and cages are released for cleaning.
• vi) Collection of eggs
• Eggs are collected by means of manual suction and are placed in tubes and counted with measuring cylinder.
Approximately one cc of eggs of Corcyra counts about 20,000 at the fresh harvest. After that due to shrinkage
of eggs the count may be increased. The present model assumes 20,000 eggs per one cc for calculation
purpose. The final output of Corcyra eggs from one cage has been assumed at 7.5 cc.
 Trichogramma egg parasite - Mass production
• 4. Production of Trichocards
• The demand for Trichocards will start from the onset of kharif season and extends to rabi
season. The summer season vegetables offer an extra demand.
• i) Egg preparation
• The eggs of Corcyra thus collected are cleaned to make it free from insect scales etc. They
are sieved thrice and then poured on a plain paper. By slowly tapping eggs come
downward stick on to gummed card. Thus, the cleaned eggs are spread on the gummed
cards (15 cm x 10 cm) with the help of screen. These eggs of Corcyra are exposed to UV
rays of 15 watt UV tube for 45 minutes to prevent hatching. While UV exposure, egg card
should be kept about 12-15 cm away from tube.
• ii) Introduction of Trichogramma
• After the sterilisation the egg cards are placed in plastic bottles and are introduced with
nucleus culture of Trichogramma species of egg or pupal stage. The ratio of host egg and
parasite adult should be maintained at 1:5.
 Trichogramma egg parasite - Mass production
• iii) What is a tricho card ?
• The parasitisation of Trichogramma spp., in laboratory condition on one cc eggs of Corcyra
cephalonica, which are uniformly spread and pasted on a card measuring 15 cm x 10 cm is
called as Tricho card. The card has 12 demarcations (stamps). About 12,000 Trichogramma
adults emerge out from this card in 7-8 days after parasitisation. To delay the emergence of
Trichogramma, these cards can be stored in refrigerator at 5-100C for 10-15 days. On
removing the cards to room temperature, the parasitoids emerge normally. Trichocards
have a shelf life of 2-3 days. However, these can be stored in a refrigerator for a period of 1
month without any spoilage.
• 5. Dosage
• For controlling sugarcane early shoot borer : Start releasing 6,000 parasites per week per
acre area, for a period of 5 weeks, starting from 4th week of planting i.e., as soon as the
adult male moths of early shoot borer are noticed in the field. Totally 30,000 parasites are
to be released per acre. More parasites may also be released depending upon the crop and
pest density.
 Trichogramma egg parasite - Mass production
• In cotton- The Trichocards are released in the field at 45 days after sowing @ 5 cards / ha (one lakh eggs). In
total three release are necessary.
• 6. How to use 'Tricho card'
• The cards are to be used before the emergence of the adult parasite. Cut or tear each Tricho card into small
pieces and distribute them all over the field. The pieces may be stapled to sugarcane leaf at 7-8 m distance.
Care is to be taken to release the parasites either in morning or evening i.e., during cool hours, in windward
direction and there should not be any pesticide spray. Before releasing the parasite, the infected shoots are
to be cut to ground level and buried inside the soil so as to avoid secondary infestation.
• 7. Advantages of using Tricho cards
• Less cost, more effective.
• field application (releases) is very simple as compared to other methods.
• Records show higher yield in sugarcane (about 4-5 tonnes), as secondary infestation is avoided while using
Tricho cards.
• Cost of pest control is very nominal.
• Added to all these, environmental pollution is avoided.
 Trichogramma egg parasite - Mass production
• 8. Precautions
• The following precautions are required to be taken while using Trichocards :
• Trichocards should be packed in such a way that the parasitised surface is on the inner side.
• Emergence date should be specified on cards for the guidance of the users.
• Trichocards should be stapled on the inner-side of the leaf to avoid direct sunlight.
• Card should be stapled in morning hours and just before emergence to avoid predation.
• Farmers should refrain from using pesticides in the field where Trichogramma are released.
If need arises selective / safer pesticides can be used and it is to be ensured that pesticides
are used 15 days before or after release of Trichogramma