The more Trichogramma released the quicker the establishment.
Quick establishment is desirable in all crops but economic and time factors need to be considered.

Vegetables
In high value vegetable crops, higher release rates (2 releases of 60,000+ per hectare) are recommended. Establishment is quick, about 2 weeks.

In tomatoes, zucchinis, melons etc, start with two releases a week apart at the first sign of moth eggs. Apply 60 to 120 capsules per hectare per release depending on pest pressure. In crops where pressure is steady this should be sufficient to ensure establishment for the life of the crop. In crops where egg pressure is highly variable, regular releases may be the the best option.

In sweet corn, make two releases into each planting as soon as eggs are present in reasonable numbers - 1 egg per 5 plants is enough or else two weeks before silking.

Field crops
Inoculative releases as low as 30 capsules (or 1 gram) per hectare will enable establishment of Trichogramma if there is a good egg lay at the time of release. Two releases a week apart will increase the chances of establishment (more chance of catching an egg lay, more even generational distribution of wasps, less chance of adverse weather).

Initially, expect low rates of parasitism (10 to 20 %) but over the next 2 generations (3-4 weeks) the wasps will disperse and even out through the crop and parasitism typically increases to high levels. Higher release rates will shorten the establishment period. More on this in "What to expect". If necessay, use the "soft"insecticide options especially during the establishmnet period.

In cotton, releases can be made into earlier planted adjacent crops (e.g. maize, sorghum) or else directly into the cotton (or both).

Releases into more advanced low insecticide crops near the cotton will create an in-field insectory from where the wasps can migrate into the young cotton crop. Lucerne, sorghum, maize and sunflowers are suitable crops. Chickpeas are not suitable for Trichogramma.

Releases can be made directly into cotton - either GM or conventional. Releases into GM cotton will reduce resistance pressures, provide late season control and provide a Trichogramma refuge for nearby conventional crops. Releases into conventional crops should enable significant reductions in chemical use over the season.

If there is a steady egg lay, parasitism will increase with each generation of wasps (only 8 days in summer). It is not uncommon for parasitism to be close to 100% even under heavy pressure.

Trichogramma are best used in conjunction with other compatible and complimentary control measures e.g. Biological insecticides and selective "safe" chemical insecticides. Other local natural enemies - for instance, local parasitoids, lacewings, spiders, predatory beetles and bugs - are also likely to make a useful contribution.

Monitoring for parasitism of heliothis eggs