MacTrix

(Trichogrammatoidea cryptophlebiae)

for the biological control of mac nutborer

Chemicals

Trichogramma are susceptible to many chemical insecticides and some fungicides.

Insecticides for fruit spotting bug and Bulldock® for nutborer are disruptive especially if made in quick succession.

There are however a number of "safe" and "moderately hazardous" products that can be used with Trichogramma.

Mimic® targeting nutborer is safe to Trichogramma and other beneficials and is registered for use in macadamias and lychees so can be used in conjunction with Trichogramma when parasitism is low or MNB pressure too high.

Chemical use should be discussed with your crop consultant.

Bulldock® kills adult wasps and if used repeatedly will reduce wasps as well as the natural enemies of mealybug, scale and feltid coccid below useful levels. Spot spray where practical e.g. for FSB, feltid coccid.

When Trichogramma are well established, say 4 black eggs found per 100 eggs, then a spray of a "High" rated insecticide will reduce wasp numbers immediately but there will be sufficient numbers of wasps developing in parasitised eggs for their number to increase again in the following week or two. Repeated sprays in a short period will reduce wasp below useful levels.

Trials of a “softer’ insecticide, Actara®, for Fruit Spotting Bug are in progress.

Chemicals used in macadamias and lychees and their Toxicity to Trichogramma Wasps

(Guideline only - Check crop registrations before use)

Chemical/Trade Name
Overall
toxicity
rating
Days to wait after spraying before wasp release
Impact on Trichogrammatoidea cryptophlebiae
Adult wasps
Parasitised Eggs
Fungicides
Carbendazim/Spin®
Low
2
 Reduces emergence
Copper oxychloride
Low
2
 Reduces emergence
Mancozeb/Dithane®
Low
1
 None
Insecticides
Acephate/Orthene®
Mod- High
2
 Toxic to adults No impact on eggs older than 4 days
Azinphos-methyl/Gusathion®
High
4
 Toxic to adults No impact on eggs older than 4 days
Beta-cyfluthrin/Bulldock®
High
7
 Toxic to adults No impact on eggs older than 4 days
Carbaryl/Bugmaster®
Very High
7
 Toxic to adults No impact on eggs older than 8 days
Emamectin/Proclaim®
Mod
1-6
 Reduces activity
to 71%		 No impact on eggs older than 1 day
Endosulfan/Endosulfan
High
6
 Toxic to adults No impact on eggs older than 4 days
Fipronil/Regent®
Mod
>2
 Toxic to adults No impact on eggs older than 4 days
Methidathion/Supracide®
Very High
>7
 Toxic to adults Toxic to eggs, sterile offspring
Tefubenozide/Mimic®
Low
1
 None No impact on eggs older than 1 day

Summary of data collected by Huwer & Maddox, Alstonville, NSW DPI,

Trichogrammatoidea cryptophlebiae are produced by BioResources Pty Ltd ABN 12 078 989 081
Phone (07) 3289 4919 Email: richard@bioresources.com.au