Innovation

Working with nature, not against it

Research and Development

At AgBiTech we have a robust and dynamic research program dedicated to the ongoing development of cutting-edge biological insect control solutions for growers. Since 2016, we have successfully introduced five new products, demonstrating our commitment to continuous innovation. Simultaneously, we relentlessly strive to enhance the efficiency of our existing products and optimize our manufacturing system. AgBiTech’s laboratories are located in Toowoomba Australia, Dallas Fort Worth USA and Goiânia, Brazil.

Our products have been extensively tested and proven effective in controlling pests across diverse scenarios. We firmly believe in the global applicability of NPVs against new pest targets, and we are actively working towards achieving that goal.

With an unwavering focus on expanding the reach and impact of our solutions, AgBiTech's research program remains at the forefront of the industry, continuously pushing the boundaries of biological insect control for the benefit of growers worldwide.


  • What are NPVs and how they work with Nature?

    Nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) are natural viruses which are effective caterpillars’ killers. They are great at controlling even those caterpillars which are resistant to chemical insecticides. NPV-based insecticides are strong and eco-friendly. Much different than chemical insecticides there is no known resistance to NPV based insecticides anywhere in the world. They can be used to substitute or work together with chemical insecticides.

    NPVs work with nature because they have evolved together with caterpillars during millions of years, resulting in a natural and effective strategy to prevent caterpillar resistance by being highly specific to certain types of caterpillars. This specificity between virus and host cell composition and linkage makes it challenging for caterpillars to develop resistance against NPVs. This adaptation ensures that NPVs remain effective, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for pest management. 

    These bioinsecticides are extremely safe and do not harm people, wildlife, or beneficial insects.

    NPVs can provide effective control of caterpillars with no impact on beneficial species in the crop. This means that natural predators and parasites in the crop are able to provide ongoing suppression of pests after NPV application. The use of less selective insecticides, while providing good initial knockdown control of caterpillars, can cause subsequent flaring of pests due to the removal of their natural enemies. This is a particularly important consideration in the first half of the season and in crops prone to pests normally kept in check by predation and parasitism.

  • Can NPVs control caterpillars resistant to chemicals and traits?

    Yes, it can control resistand caterpillars. Some caterpillar species have developed resistance to a wide range of chemical insecticides and to genetically-modified (GM) crops. NPVs are able to control caterpillar populations that have developed resistance to synthetic chemistry and GM crops.


    They are also a valuable rotational product and mixing partner in resistance management. Current scientific evidence shows that the chance of resistance development to NPVs is extremely low. This means that NPVs can be used throughout the season; early for use in integrated pest management and later as a resistance break or mixing partner with synthetic insecticides.

  • DO NPVs leave any residue on crops?

    No. NPVs degrade in the natural ecological environment thus leaving no residues on crops enabling farmers to manage pests right up until harvest without having to worry about pre-harvest internals or challenges of residues on crops.


    NPVs are non-toxic and non-hazardous which means that farmers can re-enter their fields within a few hours of spraying. 

Novel Mode of Action

Working with Nature, not against it

While caterpillars have developed resistance to most chemical insecticides and now also to some genetically modified (GM) crops, they have not done so with their co-evolved naturally occurring viruses. These viruses have virtually no effect on any other species which makes them incredibly safe to beneficial insects, the environment and most importantly, to people.

Paradigm Shifting Innovation with Semiochemicals

Controlling Moths Before Egg-Laying

AgBiTech is completely changing caterpillar/worm management by controlling them even before they are born.

Our Semiochemical solutions are a mixture of carefully selected plant volatiles, especially formulated to attract moths of the Noctuidae species.

AgBiTech has developed proprietary formulations with components mixed in optimal ratios (patented), resulting in highly attractive compounds for moths in the field.

Unlike pheromones that only attract males, ABT proprietary blends target newly emerged and copulated female moths.

The mixture is combined with an insecticide to both attract and kill moths.

Our Semiochemical solutions are already a great success in Australia and are growing in Brazil and being introduced in Argentina.


Semiochemicals Mode of Action

Production

How are NPVs produced?

The production of NPVs take place inside the caterpillar pest. This process involves the mass rearing of huge numbers of caterpillars in a climate-controlled environment, and infecting them with a small amount of NPV. AgBiTech’s manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, has proprietary technologies that enable the production, maintenance, and infection of millions of caterpillars every day. The amplified OBs are subsequently harvested from the dead caterpillars through a process of washing and centrifugation, and eventually formulated into a concentrated virus product. AgBiTech maintains formulation and packaging capabilities in the USA, Australia, and Brazil for its NPV products and the adjuvants Optimol and Magnet/Chamariz.

Quality control of AgBiTech’s NPV products

Each product that we produce undergoes rigorous quality checks and all of our products leave the factory with a Certificate of Analysis to give our customers peace of mind.