Scutello - Biobest Biological Systems

Products

Biological control: Biopesticides

Bacillus thuringiensis - Scutello 2X

Biological insecticide
based on Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki

In a surprisingly short amount of time caterpillar infestations can appear in our crops. When action is not taken in time, they can often cause extensive damage. Scutello 2x is the obvious tool to biologically control phyllophagous caterpillars.

Action

Scutello® 2x is a biological compound based on spores of the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Bt). Scutello®2x works against several species of butterfly and moth caterpillars which can cause serious damage to crops.
The product is used as spray powder. By eating the sprayed parts of the plant the caterpillars digest the bacteria. Inside the intestines the bacteria produces spores and protein crystals.

While degrading the crystals in the intestinal canal a toxin is released, which harms the intestine wall and sees to it that the caterpillar stops eating after a couple of hours after intake, as the jaws become paralysed. Infected caterpillars move slowly, change colour and shrive. About 2 to 5 days after intake of the bacteria, they die. Dead specimen hang with the hind legs still attached to the leaves.

Selectivity

Scutello® 2x has no harmful side effect on beneficials. Therefore it is extremely suitable for use in combination with other biological control or pollination methods such as beneficials, bumblebees and bees.
Scutello® 2x does not leave a single harmful residue behind in the soil or on the plant, which allows the product to be used right before harvest. (For apples, pears, cabbage, red cabbage, savoy, oxheart cabbage, white cabbage, chinese cabbage, sprouts and cauliflower, there is a pre harvest interval of 1 week).

Field of application

Scutello®2x is exclusively admitted for use in :

Fruit culture:

Apple and pear cultures for the control of caterpillars of the small winter moth (Operophthera brumata), the lackey moth (Malacosoma neustria), the fruit moth - apple moth (Cydia pomonella), the small ermine moth (Yponomeuta sp.) and spring Noctuidae (Noctuidae).

Vegetable crop protection:

Greenhouse cultures of eggplants, gherkins, courgettes, cucumbers, melons, sweet peppers and tomatoes, for the control of caterpillars of spring Noctuidae (Noctuidae).
open field cultures of red cabbage, savoy cabbage, oxheart cabbage, sprouts and cultures of cauliflower, broccoli and Chinese cabbage, for the control of spring Noctuidae (Noctuidae) and the white butterfly (Pieris spp.)
Cabbage cultures in open field, for the control of spring Noctuidae (Noctuidae) and the white butterfly (Pieris spp.)

Ornamental plants:

Greenhouse cultures of flowercrops, for the control of the small ermine moth (Yponomeuta sp.); the lacky moth (Malacosoma neustria) and Leucoma salicis.

Forestry and public parks and gardens:

For the control of caterpillars of the small ermine moth (Yponomeuta sp.) the lackey moth (Malacosoma neustria) and the white satin (Leucoma salicis).

Practice

To achieve a good control effect, a few factors have to be taken into account in practise.
When the first damage by caterpillars has been determined the product has to be applied as soon as possible. By that time the caterpillars are still young and the effect of Scutello®2x is the greatest.
Control in an early stage is absolutely necessary. Pheromone traps are used in greenhouse cultures, fruit cultures and open field cultures to help detect pests.

Scutello®2x can be sprayed with the usual equipment. The crops have to be covered with the spraying agent in a thorough and consistent way. To achieve a permanent control effect, the treatment has to be repeated one or more times. The time of repeating the treatment is determined by the activity of the butterflies and/or moths, the growing speed of the crops, the weather conditions and the amount of light. The dosis which needs to be applied depends on the kind of caterpillar and in which crop it appears.