Caterpillar control

Trichogramma are tiny wasps less than 0.5mm long.  They attack the egg stage of several species of moth pests, including the Turkey moth, Tomato moth, Cabbage moth and Silver-y moth.  Adult females lay their eggs into the moth eggs.  These hatch and the larvae feed on the developing caterpillar within the egg, stopping the caterpillar hatching and thus preventing damage and reproduction.  The egg turns black as the parasite develops.  The life cycle takes 7-20 days depending on temperature.

Directions for Use

The microbial insecticide DIPEL® contains spores of the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis and crystals of a toxic protein.  It is effective against most species of moth caterpillar. However species vary in their susceptibility and rates and timings have to be adjusted to gain satisfactory results. The insecticide works by paralysing the mouthparts and the gut muscles of the caterpillar, which starves to death. With tortrix moths which spin leaves together and eat within it is vital to spray before the eggs hatch so that the bacteria is on the leaves when they hatch.

In the case of tomato moths, populations can be monitored using TOMATO MOTH PHEROMONE TRAPS. These catch some of the first moths that enter the greenhouse or emerge from pupation and are thus an early warning of impending egg laying. DIPEL® should be applied about 10 days after the first moths are caught.

DiPel® is a registered trade mark of Abbott Laboratories.