Over 200 species of caterpillars and moths that destroy or damage vegetables and fruits, such as Web Worms, Loopers, Leaf Worms, Fruit Worms, Cut Worms, Army Worms, Tomato Worms, Gypsy Moths, Codling Moths, Oriental Fruit Moths, and more!
ABOUT TRICHOGRAMMA:
Use indoor or outdoor!
Trichogramma are very tiny, pale-yellow flying insects, smaller than a pinhead. These insects are bite-less, sting-less, and essentially go unnoticed. Trichogramma parasitize the eggs of over 200 species of Lepidopteran Caterpillar and Moths that destroy or damage vegetables and fruits. Complete release instructions are included.
TRICHOGRAMMA SPECIES:
- T. platneri / T. minutum - Works best on tall plants over 6 feet tall.
- T. pretiosum - Works best on short plants less than 6 feet tall.
- T. brassicae - Works best for cold crops or winter crops.
GENERAL USE:
1-2 Trichogramma per sq. ft.
ACRE:
50k - 100k trichogramma
Release early morning or evening. Avoid extreme temperatures. Release weekly during moth flight season. Wait to release until Trichogramma have began to hatch. Keep cards out of direct sunlight, in a warm place, until you can see small dots (adult Trichogramma) moving around in the sealed bag.
It's important to note that these release rates serve as general guidelines and may vary based on the specific pest species, the crop or plant being treated, and level of infestation. Proper monitoring of the infestation and the subsequent effectiveness of the released beneficial insect population is crucial for determining the success of the biological control strategy.
Ants will eat Trichogramma eggs. If ants are present, hatch eggs indoors in packaging. Check daily and release at first sign of hatching.
To achieve a comprehensive approach in controlling caterpillars and moths, it is recommended to combine the use of Trichogramma with other beneficial predators such as Beneficial Nematodes - Steinernema carpocapsae.
Unhatched cards can be stored at 40°-45° F. for no more than 10 days. Once hatched, they can be stored at 54°-64° F. for no more than 4 hours.
Trichogramma wasps begin their lifecycle as tiny eggs, typically laid inside the eggs of pest insects. The duration of the egg stage varies depending on environmental conditions and the specific species of Trichogramma, but it typically lasts for about 3 to 5 days. After hatching from the egg, Trichogramma larvae emerge and start to feed on the contents of the host pest's eggs. They consume the developing pest embryos, effectively preventing the pests from maturing. The larval stage typically lasts for about 5 to 10 days. Once the Trichogramma larvae have completed their feeding phase, they enter the pupal stage. During this stage, the larvae undergo metamorphosis inside protective casings. The pupal stage typically lasts for around 5 to 7 days. After the pupal stage, adult Trichogramma wasps emerge. They are fully developed and capable of flight. The adults are sexually mature and ready to mate. The lifespan of adult Trichogramma wasps can vary depending on factors such as temperature, availability of food sources, and environmental conditions. Generally, their lifespan ranges from a few days up to a couple of weeks.
It's important to note that these time-frames are approximate and can be influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, and the availability of prey. Monitoring the development and activity of beneficial insect populations, along with environmental conditions, can help determine the progress and effectiveness of their role in pest control efforts.
