BIOTOP is a French company specialized in the research and production of alternative solutions for the protection of plants and foodstuffs.

These methods of biocontrol are effective and environmentally friendly. They are designed for farmers, green spaces managers but also for general public.

BIOTOP is a sub company of InVivo Group. It's been created in 1991 as an extension of a collaboration begun in 1975 with INRA (the French National Agronomic Research Institute) to develop and perfect a biological control method against the European corn borer through using Trichogramma.

With over 25 years of experience, Biotop products are a major technical and scientific reference in the biological control field.

Sustainable development is our vision; R & D is our priority.

Our 2 biofactories located in South East of France have unique potential and production methods in Europe. Beneficial insects and other alternative solutions are marketed by a wide distribution network in France and worldwide.

Quality monitoring of our products is unique. It is for our users the assurance of a preserved efficiency and respected biodiversity.

BIOTOP: the quality reference

• History

• R&D

• Products

• Distribution channels

HISTORY

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R&D

Biotop daily benefits from the technical and scientific support of its parent company, InVivo group (turnover of more than €6 billion in over 60 countries), with research centers in Europe, Asia, America, where mix more than 500 researchers, engineers, geneticists, entomologists, veterinarians, pharmacists, in the wide fields of the life sciences.

Boosted by an experience of more than 25 years initiated in collaboration with INRA (French National Institute for Agricultural Research), Biotop dedicated its site in Valbonne to R&D on biological control (along the innovation center of Sophia Antipolis - France). The investment of a senior experts team, in collaboration with several international institutes, demonstrates our commitment to scientific excellence and innovation.

Similarly, the relationship with the analysis laboratories InvivoLabs (InVivo group) is particularly strong: it is thus over 200 scientists (Europe, Brazil, China ...) that give Biotop ways to continuously improve the methods and quality controls.

In terms of experimental or applied biology, Biotop uses advanced in vitro & in vivo technologies, but also bioinformatics research of sequences, etc.

Whether in the fields of agriculture, greenhouses, parks or the mass market public,

R&D is our priority.

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PRODUCTS

Biotop offers innovative products as an alternative to conventionnal products against pests.

These products are used more and more by farmers, and some may also be used in private and public gardens.

Our main activity is to produce Ephestia eggs for our Trichogramma rearing (product already used on several tens of thousands of ha of corn crops in France) and also for other beneficials as Anthocoris, Orius, flightless Harmonia Axyridis, Adalia, Macrolophus…

We also propose Chrysoperla (lacewing), Cryptolaemus, Phytoseiulus… for IPM (Integrated Pest Management) on vegetables.

Struggle against predatory moths

Trichogramma

Trichogramma are minuscule wasps (<1mm), natural parasites of lepidopteran pests eggs. Released during the egg laying period a the pests, they destroy the eggs and prevent them from hatching. Thus, the caterpillar can not appear.

TR16+® (Trichogramma brassicae)

Target: European Corn Borer (and secondary effects of Noctuidae Heliothis…, but ECB is the preferred host) on corn, pepper…
Dose: Approximately 200 to 400.000 Trichogrammas per ha, in relation to corn borer risk and damage threshold in 1 or 2 releases per generation.
Period(s) and conditions of use: Releases must be done from beginning of flight of ECB generation.

Trichotop® E (T. evanescens)

Target: Various predatory moths in greenhouses and open field (in particular Helioverpa armigera, Chrysodeixis, Autographa…).

Trichotop® duo (T. brassicae + T. evanescens)

Target: Better to use when there is a risk involving different lepidopteran pests, including ECB.

How Trichogramma destroys pest’s eggs

• Trichogramma puts its egg in the pest’s egg
• A larvae hatches out and eats the eggs content
• This larvae grows
• It secretes a blackish cocoon during its transformation in nymph
• After an adult appears and looks for other eggs

Trichogramma parasites as well the eggs of stored harvest moths (Ephestia kuehniella…). They can be used in combination with larvae parasites (Habrobracon hebetor) and traps in order to reduce the population levels and the damages on the products (complementary action against eggs, larvae and adults)

BIOTOP produces its on Ephestia kuehniella (meal moth) eggs which gives excellent quality wasps.

BIOTOP disposes of an industrial breeding of Ephestia with a unique potential of production in Europe.

These excellent quality eggs are available all over the year, and proposed as well fresh or frozen, particularly as substitution food for breeding of different beneficials (Orius, ladybirds…).

Lady birds against aphids and to discover the insect life

Two species available in larvae or adult: complementary solutions for biological control against several species of aphids.

Coccibelle® larvae (Harmonia axyridis, Flightless strain)

For small plants and isolated shrubs or small bushes and hedges
Dose: 10 to 30 larvae/m² (or for example, 2 or 7 larvae/medium size rose-bush)
Period(s) and conditions of use: only when aphids appear on plants

Coccifly® larvae (Adalia bipunctata)

For small plants and shrubs, isolated or in small bushes and hedges
Dose: 20 to 50 larvae/m² (or for example 40 to 80 larvae/shrub)
Period(s) and conditions of use: only when aphids appear on plants

Coccifly® adults (Adalia bipunctata)

For trees and high shrubs, isolated or in dense hedges
Dose: 10 to 20 adults/m²
Period(s) and conditions of use: only when aphids appear on plants

Ladybirds: an efficient predatory against aphids
and an opportunity for educational discoveries in the garden

Mini-breeding of ladybirds

Biotop proposes a mini-breeding of ladybirds.

• The butterfly Ephestia kuehniella (meal moth)
• Insects which are parasites of eggs (Trichogramma)
• Insects which are parasites of caterpillars (Habrobracon hebetor)

Beneficials for plant protection

Useful insects and predatory acarids compose a large range of natural solutions usable for organic crops. The aim is to help and establish natural harmony to maintain predators’ populations at a low level without damages on plants.

Dianor® Orius laevigatus

Target: thrips for vegetable crops
Dose: 5 to 10/m²
Period(s) and conditions of use: preventive or curative, in green houses

Calpop® Adults Macrolophus caliginosus

Target: white flies and mites for tomatoes and eggplants
Dose: 2 to 5/m²
Period(s) and conditions of use: must be introduced in crops preventively after the implantation of plants, Temperature>18-20°C

Popsyl® Anthocoris nemoralis

Target: psylles of pear trees, mimosas, olive wood, albizias.
Dose: 25 to 50/tree
Period(s) and conditions of use: in spring, when pests are already present on plants (beginning of April)

Calpop® Larvae Macrolophus caliginosus

Target: white flies, acarids of vegetable crops
Dose: 5 to 10/m²
Period(s) and conditions of use: when pests are already present on plants, temperature>18-20°C.
In green houses or outside when temperature is sufficient.

Vespop® Franklinothrips vespiformis

Target: Thrips of vegetable crops, fruit-trees and ornamentals.
Dose: 5 to 10/m²
Period(s) and conditions of use: when pests are already present, temperature >20-22°C.
In green houses or outside when temperature is sufficient.

Phytoseiulus Phytoseiulus persimilis

Target: acarids of vegetable crops and ornamentals.
Dose: 5 to 20/m²
Period(s) and conditions of use: when pests are already present, temperature >20°C, high hygrometry (anticipate, for example, humidifiers).
In green houses or outside only in hot and humid areas.

We commercialize also pheromones and traps for monitoring and mating disruption.

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DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS

The products may be obtained through cooperatives.

Those proposed to the general public can be found in agricultural self-services and garden centres.

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