Trichogramma – Natural Moth Egg Parasitoids for Organic Pest Control

Description 

Trichogramma is a tiny parasitic wasp that attacks the eggs over 150 species of moths, including cabbage looper, codling moth, oriental fruit moth, twig borers and fruitworms for caterpillar and moth control. Beneficial insect for organic pest control. 

Application Rates

1-2 per square foot or 50,000-100,000 per acre when adult moths are detected. Easy to use, safe and effective biocontrol.

Use in Biological Control

Optimum conditions are moderate temperatures of 68-81°F and relative humidity of 60%. Moth species that lay eggs in clusters are more easily controlled using Trichogramma than those that lay eggs singly. All releases should be made at first sign of moth flight. Timing is important to ensure moth eggs are available for parasitism. 

Trichogramma are weak flyers and must be well distributed throughout the crop for successful control. Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) to control caterpillars until Trichogramma are well established.  

Avoid use of broad spectrum and persistent pesticides as these are toxic to naturally occurring enemies, including Trichogramma wasps. 

Trichogramma minutum - native to eastern North America used for control of grape berry moth, cabbage looper, and codling moth in ornamentals, orchards, grape production, and forests.

Trichogramma platneri - native to western North America used for control of codling moth and leafrollers in avocados, ornamentals, grapes, orchards and tall crops.

Trichogramma brassicae – native to Europe is used to control lepidopteran vegetable pests such as European corn borer in vegetable, orchard and field crops, especially Cole crops (broccoli, cabbage, kale, mustard) and leek, garlic and onion.

Trichogramma pretiosum – native to North America for lepidopteran cotton and vegetable pests (bollworms and budworms). Use for greenhouse crops.

Instructions for Use

Sold as parasitized moth eggs fixed to paper sheets. Carefully tear the sheets along the perforations and distribute immediately. To increase the effectiveness of this parasitoid, provide an area for them to mate and feed before releasing. Enclose each square in a small, screened paper cup along with a small piece of cotton moistened with dilute honey or fruit juice. Hold for 2-10 days at 76-78°F.

When the Trichogramma begin to emerge, uncover and place the cups throughout the crop. In orchards, release at the base of infested trees. Also release a few upwind to encourage their natural spread throughout the orchard. Shipped fresh, quality guaranteed. 

Order deadline: Orders must be received by noon on Friday PT for shipment the following week. Questions? Call us at (360) 656-6680. See order deadlines & shipping and release instructions for details. For two day shipping, please call. 

FOR YOUR FILES: Trichogramma Tech Sheet (pdf)