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BIOTOP is a sub company of InVivo Group and develops biological control methods.
We carry out research, production and marketing in order to offer effective and environmentally friendly solutions to farmers and also to general public.
InVivo created BIOTOP in 1991 as an extension of collaboration begun in 1975 with INRA (the french National Agronomic Research Institut) to develop and perfect a biological control method against the European Corn Borer through using Trichogramma.
BIOTOP products are elaborated in its biofactory near Nice in south of France. They are available through a wide range of distributors in France as well as in other countries.
BIOTOP develops partnerships to find and elaborate new products and methods and also to distribute its products. Quality control is regularly carried out, from manufacture to use, in order to obtain the best technical and economical performances.
HISTORY
1975-1985
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Ten years of research and experiments to develop Trichogramma against the European Corn Borer on corn crops. |
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1985
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Beginning of commercialization of Trichogramma. |
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1985-1991
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Improvements in mass production and in the use of Trichogramma followed by the decision to create BIOTOP and to build an industrial production unit. |
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1992
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Building of the biofactory , near the Antibes INRA Center where research on Trichogramma was conducted. |
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All over the year, large numbers of lepidopteran eggs (Ephestia kuehniella) are produced for rearing Trichogramma and other useful insects. Ephestia eggs enabled a diversification of activities through the sale of eggs and through the rearing other insects. |
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1995
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In collaboration with INRA, BIOTOP began the production and the marketing of HARMONIA, ladybirds proposed against aphids. |
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Other beneficial insects are also produced or are being studied thanks to Ephestia eggs : Macrolophus predatory bugs to control whitefly, Orius predatory bugs to control thrips... |
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1996
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Beginning of a new diversification, with the use of pheromones for trapping and mating disruption. |
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2000
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Registration of ECOPOM, developed for mating disruption of codling moth. |
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2002
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BIOTOP Trichogramma were used on 77 000 ha of corn in France and other european countries. High quality, storage with diapause, performant logistics and field efficacy are the main caracteristics of the product. |
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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 more than 70.000 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® larvae (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.
Other mini-breedings to discover and observe the biological cycle of different insects:
- 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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