Trichogramma platneri – Egg Parasitoid for Caterpillar & Borer Control (Western U.S.)
Product details
| Management number | 250625515 | Release Date | 2026/09/17 | List Price | US$15.58 | Model Number | 250625515 | ||
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The western US strain that stops caterpillars and borers before they hatch
Growers west of the Rockies need a Trichogramma strain adapted to their species and conditions, and that strain is platneri. This tiny egg parasitoid is native to the western United States and works especially well in orchards, vineyards, and ornamentals, where moth larvae can cause serious losses. It parasitizes moth eggs before they hatch, breaking the pest cycle. Released at the right time, it reduces the need for chemical sprays.
Live insects ship on Tuesdays only and arrive Wednesday. Orders must be placed 7 days in advance. Anything ordered by 3pm EST Tuesday ships the following Tuesday by UPS overnight shipping.
- You react once larvae are already boring in
- A non-local strain may not match your pests
- Sprays coat crops and need harvest timing
- Broad products hit beneficials and pollinators
- One-time sprays leave gaps
- Labor-heavy and reactive
- Destroys the eggs before a caterpillar hatches
- Native western strain adapted to your species and climate
- No spray, no residue, no re-entry interval
- Wasps target moth eggs, sparing the crop
- Weekly cards give continuous egg-stage coverage
- Hang a card and the wasps patrol for you
Adapted to the western US Regional strain
Platneri is native to the western United States and tuned to the moth species and conditions west of the Rockies, which is why it outperforms non-local strains there.
Kills pests before they hatch
Female wasps lay inside moth eggs and the developing larvae consume the contents, so caterpillars never emerge to damage your crop.
Strong in orchards and vineyards
It is especially effective in orchards, vineyards, and ornamentals, the western settings where borer and moth larvae cause the heaviest losses.
Timing is everything
Released to coincide with moth egg-laying, platneri breaks the pest cycle at its most vulnerable point and cuts the need for chemical sprays.
Wasps keep cycling
Adults emerge from the cards and search out more pest eggs, extending each release with a new generation of hunters.
Low-effort to deploy
The cards clip onto plants with no mixing or equipment, making weekly prevention low-effort even across larger plantings.
Hang or clip the cards in the canopy across the orchard, vineyard, or garden.
Release to coincide with moth egg-laying; wasps emerge in 2-5 days.
Typical rate 1-2 per sq ft, or 50,000-100,000 per acre weekly during flights.
Release in the morning and don't delay once the wasps emerge.
How platneri stops the next caterpillar
Hang the cards
Clip the release cards onto plants across your orchard, vineyard, or garden, spaced evenly through the canopy.
Wasps emerge in days
Adult Trichogramma hatch from the card and begin searching for moth eggs.
They parasitize pest eggs
Each female lays inside moth eggs, which darken as the wasp develops instead of a caterpillar.
Time it to the moths
Release when moths are laying and repeat through the flight period so fresh wasps meet fresh eggs.
- Trichogramma platneri release cards with parasitized host eggs
- Count matched to your chosen size
- Hanging and timing instructions
- Insulated overnight packaging
- Card counts: sized to your planting area
- Best for: western US orchards, vineyards, and ornamentals
- Eastern or central US? ask us about minutum instead
Questions? We're easy to reach.
Happy Hydro has been serving growers since 2006. Call or email us before you order, after you order, or any time something comes up. When you're happy, we're happy.
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