Embrapa carries out training on biological pest control

Biological pest control is a clean technology, carried out through the action of different organisms that use one or more developmental stages of insect pests as a food source. This type of control allows production efficiency to be maintained and costs to be reduced.

"In addition to efficiency and lower costs, biological control prevents the increase in resistance of insect pests to insecticides and promotes a significant increase in natural enemies or beneficial insects in crops", explains researcher Ivan Cruz, from Embrapa Milho e Sorgo. 

One of the beneficial insects is the wasp Trichogramma. "The species Trichogramma pretiosum, also commonly known as a wasp, is a very small beneficial insect, but very efficient in controlling pest eggs, notably those species where caterpillars would be generated, if the eggs were not eliminated. In other words, the wasp prevents the birth of caterpillars and prevents damage to the plant. This beneficial wasp is very efficient in detecting the pest egg in the field,” says Cruz.

With the aim of spreading this knowledge, the international course "Spodoptera frugiperda and its management with sustainable technologies aimed at African countries”. The training had a practical approach and was given at Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, in Sete Lagoas, from the 8th to the 19th of July. Representatives from the National Institute of Agricultural Research and Development (INIDA), of Cape Verde, and the Institute of Agricultural Research of Mozambique (IIAM) participated. The activities were carried out in partnership with African governments and FAO.

The topics covered emphasized biological control, using the parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum and its production in a biofactory. The activities carried out by the participants in relation to the pest involved practical recognition of all stages of development, differentiation of the different larval stages and recognition of the adult insect, both by visual appearance and genitalia. The wasp breeding methodology was also shown, including the preparation and use of an artificial diet and monitoring and recognition, in the field, using traps.

Regarding biological control agents, field and laboratory activities were carried out to teach how to breed predators and parasitoids. “We seek to emphasize the methodology for creating the parasitoid from eggs Trichogramma pretiosum, including the multiplication of the meal moth (Anagasta kuehniella). This moth is an alternative host for the parasitoid. We also show the quality protocols and economic viability of a biofactory. And, finally, we organize tasks aimed at controlling caterpillars, when we emphasize the production and use of neem extracts (natural insecticide)”, says Cruz.

Visit the biofactory in Paraopeba, Minas Gerais

To complement the training, a visit was made to the company JB Biotecnologia, on the morning of July 18th. On this occasion, the African delegation visited the facilities and operation of the biofactory, located in Paraopeba-MG.

At JB Biotecnologia, the team was welcomed by partners Júlio Cruz and Bianca Vique. “It is a pleasure to welcome you here and contribute to this mission. We will present what we do and our challenges. We also thank Professor Ivan Cruz, who is a great supporter of biofactories in Brazil, for his support of our work here in Paraopeba”, said Vique.

The Government Secretary of Paraopeba City Hall, Roberto de Jesus Viana, and the city's deputy mayor, Aroldo Costa Melo, also attended the biofactory. Viana highlighted that he is interested in knowledge exchange activities. “We want to organize a field day or a workshop to welcome other national and international delegations, to spread knowledge regarding pest management,” he said.