The new Insectec facility is just outside Letsitele in Limpopo, where both the host and control insects are bred.
ALGEMEEN
Fighting the mealybug Founded in 2015, Insectec, a local company in Limpopo, has expanded from a small laboratory in Tzaneen to becoming a leader in the production of natural enemies for use in integrated pest management systems on farms in South Africa.
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n a joint venture, three farming enterprises in the Letsitele area, namely Mahela Group, Komati Fruit Group and Laeveld Citrus, joined forces with Insectec and completed a stateof-the-art Insectary situated in Letsitele. This new insect rearing facility has recently been opened in Letsitele and boasts the latest technology and a local research and development team that enables them to address the specific needs of their clients. Cutting-edge technology has been installed in the new insectary that will allow the company to produce large numbers of healthy, high-quality, beneficial insects for use in agriculture. The new facility will also host a research and development department. “Although we might be a bit cheeky to claim it, we believe that we have the largest insectary in the Southern hemisphere,” says Karel van Heerden, Chief Executive Officer. “Our mission is to produce integrated and sustainable solutions for pest management that contribute to a healthier and more productive agricultural systems. “Investment in innovation is the foundation for sustainable solutions in agriculture. Our business is based on proper research, and the development department is focused on finding new innovative methods and solutions to address pest management problems. In addition, we develop products for local conditions in conjunction with our clients,” he added. The Insectary is run by Hannah Otto, Director and Production Manager, whose expertise in insect breeding under South African conditions is well-known. The facility focuses on the production and application of beneficial organisms used
GROENTE & VRUGTE | NOVEMBER • DESEMBER 2021
in biological pest control and integrated pest management programmes. Insects will be massed-produced to support integrated pest management (IPM) programmes of citrus and grape farmers locally and abroad. The use of natural enemies in most cases is incorporated into the integrated pest management programmes of producers. IPM is a system of managing pests in agricultural crops through a combination of biological, cultural, physical and chemical control methods. IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of commonsense practices, says Andrew Bennett, Agricultural Consultant. “IPM programmes are based on information regarding the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is then used to manage pest damage to crops by the most economical means with the least possible hazard to people and the environment,” Bennet explains. “In order to breed the natural enemies, we have to breed the prey. At this stage, the only prey we breed is mealybug, Hemiptere: Pseudococcidae, an economically important pest. Mealybugs are soft-bodied scale insects and extremely difficult to control chemically. The use of natural enemies is considered as the best alternative means of control,” Otto says. All the natural enemies that are produced at Insectec occur naturally in South Africa and are therefore adapted to most regions in the country. Four natural enemies for mealybug are bred. Each of these TO PAGE 32
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