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ANDERMATT BIOCONTROL

(article reproduced from the March 2005 edition of Crop Protection Monthly)

The Swiss company, Andermatt Biocontrol AG, Grossdietwil (www.biocontrol.ch), was founded in 1988 by Dr Martin Andermatt and Dr Isabel Andermatt. The goal of the company is to replace chemical pesticides, wherever possible, with good biological alternatives such as beneficial insects and microbial control products. The first product introduced by Andermatt Biocontrol was Madex, a granulovirus product used to control codling moth (Cydia pomonella), which obtained a registration in Switzerland in 1988 and was the first granulovirus product used worldwide in food production. During the last 17 years, Andermatt Biocontrol has extended its in-house production to include more than 12 products. In addition a wide range of around 140 commercial products allows the company to provide the producers of all the important crops in Switzerland with reliable biocontrol products. As the quality and availability of these products are of great importance in this sector, the company was certified ISO 9001 in 2004.

 Leading company in biological plant protection

Andermatt Biocontrol has been the leading company in biological plant protection in Switzerland for many years now. The primary markets for the company are arboriculture (granulovirus products, mating disruption, insecticides, fungicides, monitoring traps), viticulture (mating disruption, pheromone traps, fungicides), vegetables and ornamental plants (beneficial insects, organic fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides).  The company has 40 employees working in production, logistics, R&D, marketing, technical support and sales. In 2003 Andermatt Biocontrol set up two sister companies: Biovet specialises in alternative veterinary products and also provides beekeepers worldwide with biological products for the control of the varroa mite and wax moth in bee hives; Biogarten produces biological products for the home and garden market.

 Products exported globally

For many years, Andermatt Biocontrol has exported its products globally through local distributors and is continually seeking new partners in many countries. The export range consists of products manufactured by the company as well as others where it has worldwide exclusive distribution rights. In addition to Madex, the company also offers two other granulovirus products, Capex against summer fruit tortrix (Adoxophyes orana) and ClGV against the false codling moth (Cryptophlebia leucotreta). It also has a baculovirus product, HaSNPV, for control of cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera). Andermatt also has an extensive range of Rebell monitoring traps and pheromone traps and lures for controlling the main pests in fruit orchards, viticulture, vegetable and field crops. It also supplies ladybirds (Adalia bipunctata) for the control of aphids. 

Parasitic nematodes

The company sells a range of insect parasitic nematodes that include Heterorhabditis megidis against wine weevils (Otiorhynchus sulcatus), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora against garden chafers (Phyllopertha horticola), Steinernema feltiae against sciarid larvae (Bradysia paupera) and Steinernema carpocapsae against mole crickets (Gryllothalpa gryllothalpa). These have been reared in-house since 1989 and are very specific and highly effective. They are based on vermiculite and can be stored for four to five weeks at 5ºC. 

Andermatt Biocontrol also produces a vertical insect fence, FiBL-Insectstop, which can be used as a physical barrier against vegetable pests. It is particularly effective in protecting cabbage and carrot crops against cabbage root fly (Delia brassicae) and carrot fly (Psila rosae). The company also publishes a guide Handbook for Release of Beneficial Insects in Glasshouse and Indoor Cultures which gives details of the most important beneficials, when they should be released and how to achieve successful control.

 Website design advisor: Jane Slade (RACC) 

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