Given the rise in temperatures over the last few days, regional bodies such as the Andalusian Regional Government have recommended taking extreme preventive measures to control the spread of the tomato leaf miner moth Tuta absoluta, as the current meteorological conditions are ideal for it to thrive, especially in spring crops. In fact, in its latest weekly bulletin, RAIF says that Tuta captures have been detected in late May in all greenhouses sampled in provinces such as Almeria.
This insect, which causes severe damage that can lead to huge losses in tomatoes and other solanaceous crops if not properly controlled, reproduces rapidly and is capable of developing resistance to insecticides, which makes effective control difficult. However, Biocaptur has shown that light is a great ally against Tuta and, according to the latest trials, also against the white fly (Bemisia tabaci) or the fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata).
Alberto Torres, from MasÃa Ferrer S.L., who grows tomatoes in the Valencian Community, shares his experience with Biocaptur. "I'm very happy to say that we have been keeping the pest under control in the current hot weather. We placed the Biocaptur devices in our plastic-covered greenhouse at the end of last year's crop cycle, when we were dealing with the uncontrolled spread of Tuta. We have been using them since then to clean the farm of Tuta, and we can confirm that now, despite the heat, which usually allows the Tuta absoluta populations to rise, we are seeing zero impact on the tomatoes and the leaves."
"The success at all levels, which I believe to be unprecedented, has led us to acquire new Biocaptur devices to test their effectiveness in plots covered only with anti-hail netting where we grow in summer. So far, our experience in the 1-hectare tomato plantation has been really positive. With 7 hours of operation at night, we are catching around 60-70 adult Tuta specimens per day per device, and for now, we haven't seen any damage on the leaves or the fruit," he says.
"We are delighted, and so are our customers. They are happy for us, firstly on a personal level, because they know what a disaster we had to deal with last year because of Tuta, and secondly, on a commercial level, as the supply and quality of summer tomatoes are going to be exceptional," says the grower.
"Now, after seeing how effective Biocaptur is throughout the entire crop cycle, and knowing that we will easily manage to keep the Tuta under control, we have even decided to plant more hectares with tomatoes for the summer cycle."
"The latest trials show that Biocaptur is catching whitefly and fruit flies, even during the day"
All tomato growers have to deal with Tuta absoluta, and that is why the Biocaptur device, patented by Antonio Tortosa, is already used in many countries. Also, new light recipes are being tried to test their effectiveness with other pests, not only in greenhouses, but also in the open ground, and with other crops, such as fruit trees.
"The interest of tomato growers in this device is constantly increasing. We are currently in the process of shipping new orders to the Netherlands and to new customers in Spain, specialized in tomato cultivation," says Antonio Tortosa. "One of the most interesting orders we have received was from a fruit tree grower in Lleida, who has placed his device in the open ground to try keeping the populations of lepidoptera and other insects under control in his plantation.
"But more interesting is the fact that, with the adapted wavelength of the LEDs of his Biocaptur, he is catching whiteflies and fruit flies even during the day," he says.
And the fact is that, taking into account the sensitivity of insects to certain wavelengths in the ultraviolet range and their positive phototaxia behavior - that is, attraction to the light to which they are sensitive - Biocaptur offers "plenty of possibilities," says Antonio, "and we plan to demonstrate this with the new lighting concepts for pest control that we will be presenting soon."
For more information:
Biocaptur
Tel.: +34 641 517 153
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https://biocaptur.com