Africa-Press – Cape verde. The insect laboratory of the National Institute of Investment and Agrarian Development (INIDA) produced 5,500 trichogramma cards this year to combat the corn earworm, the delegate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment announced today.
Speaking to Inforpress, Orlando Jesus Delgado, who represents the ministry in Ribeira Grande (Santo Antão), explained that each card measures approximately five centimeters by three and a half centimeters and is crucial in the fight against the corn earworm, a pest considered new to the island and the country.
The laboratory, according to Orlando Delgado, has been operating “very well” for approximately three years.
“We started producing trichogramma and, in addition to serving the island, it also serves São Vicente and São Nicolau. Therefore, we produce a butterfly that we call Anagasta. It lays eggs that are collected and then parasitized by trichogramma, which we then place in blisters and distribute in the field,” he explained.
Orlando Jesus Delgado also stated that the delegation is awaiting the arrival of a Chinese technician in Santo Antão, who will help improve the production of trichogramma and other natural enemies produced in the laboratory.
The same source gave as an example that natural enemies are also produced to combat pests in sugar cane and banana plants.
“The INIDA technicians are competent and have done an excellent job. In this regard, we are on the right track. Of course, it is necessary to create better conditions, but, given the normal conditions, I think they are doing an excellent job”, he assured.
Orlando Jesus Delgado also recalled that in the past the natural enemy was imported from Brazil, but whenever there was a delay in transportation the trichogramma was held up at the airports and the eggs would pass the time limit and the natural enemy would end up dying, in addition to costing the State a large amount of money.
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