ASSESSING THE ECONOMICAL IMPACT OF TRICHOGRAMMA BIO-CONTROL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PINK BOLL WORM (PECTIONOPHORA GOSSYPLELLA) AND SPINY BOLLWORM (EARIASBIPLAGA) INFESTATIONS IN EGYPTIAN COTTON FIELDS

摘要

The present paper attempts to measure the impact of the biological control ofTrichogramma, a parasitoid of the pink bollworm (Pectionophora gossyplella) and Spiny Boliworm (Earias biplaga), on cotton production during 2005, and over a large area (1300feddan). Results attributed the observed improvement of cotton production to the success of biological control. The economic impact of the introduced parasitoid are demonstrated relying on production yielded, costs incurred, infestation ratio, crop lossand B/C ratio. Total revenues for producers who adopted biological control programme, gained 8% higher than those who used the conventional chemical control. Extrapolated to all producers of cotton, a foregone income of LE 282 million in cotton production can be estimated, Trichogramma accrued a crop loss estimated at 3.1% compared to nearly 15% perfeddan for chemical control. Moreover, the benefit-cost ratio for bio-control cotton is estimated at 66:1 compared to 29:1 for chemical controlled.