During the 1991-92 season, a 1 ha block of unsprayed raingrown cotton near Dalby was sampled for parasite activity in heliothis larvae.

Nowadays, most of us are aware that natural enemies (parasites and predators) sometimes play an important role in the control of pests attacking our crops.

Any agent which reduces damage caused by heliothis is a valuable asset.

Small parasitic wasps, scientifically known as Trichogramma, are used as biological control agents of moth pests in overseas countries, thereby reducing the need to use insecticides.

For a long time, pest control In the cotton industry has depended on a narrow range of broad-spectrum insecticides.