BioResources FSB Project - BLOG
JANUARY UPDATE 2015
14 January 2015
Anastatus production and releases
Due to mass rearing issues in late 2013 we cut back on our purchase of silk moth eggs from China. We have largely resolved these issues but have had limited material available for despatch this year.
Nevertheless, we have been able to supply wasps to around to 45 growers. More have missed out as we had to place a limit due to the limited stock of silkworm eggs.
We have placed a larger order than last year for silkworm eggs to arrive in February and will be able to supply those that missed out in spring 2014.
We can get in several releases before winter. Bugs are quite active in Autumn - so its a good time to target bug eggs. Spotting bugs take about 8 weeks to get to adulthood when they can fly and lay eggs. But then adults hit winter and are not so active until the weather warms in August-September when they move into crops.
Order for Autumn releases NOW
Call us to place orders or discuss the suitability of your farm for Anastatus releases.
Phone (07) 3289 4918.
Download Anastatus Info for Growers.pdf
Send comments and bug observations to:
Richard Llewellyn
richard@bioresources.com.au
Top left and above: Cards can be hung in containers for extra protection.
Above, Anastatus cards ready for despatch
The 40 hectares of paw paws adjacent to rainforest has proved a good site for Anastatus.
Anastatus in Paw Paw
Back in 2013 I visited a large pawpaw farm near Tully (see link) where we had started Anastatus releases. It looked like a good set up with bush next to the crop.
Just had some very positive feedback from Shane Fitzgerald and Anita Davina at Total Grower Services, consultants to Mackays in Tully who grow 40 hectares of pawpaws.
They reported that sprays for banana spotting bug are way down with bugs now at very low levels - usually the high pressure period. No sprays for bugs also means no mite problems and no mite sprays either. So Shane is very excited about the results with the grower “well ahead”.