Most developed countries largely rely on environmentally hostile
and poisonous insecticide sprays for pest control in agricultural
These insecticides not only come in direct contact with the fruit
thus pose a threat to end consumers, but also have a negative
on the environment and are hazardous to workers and to the
general public. Consequently, current demand is for a solution
zero fruit fly infestation and near-zero chemical residues.
How does Biofeed work?
technology consists of a flat-panel baited device
encapsulating all the chemicals required to attract, feed, and
Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wied.)
Olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi). Using about
50 to 150 units
per hectare, the devices are suspended from trees at insect flight
level, and attract the females before they oviposit in the fruit.
The females are attracted to the poisonous bait
(containing 0.02% spinosad), alight on the Biofeed surface and
on it. Once fed the fly is doomed and dies soon after, before
Thus, not only the insect itself dies but its offspring as well.
The Biofeed device acts as a long-term feeding station that lasts
up to 6 months. Biofeed's technology intellectual property is
protected by three patents.