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Where can the beneficial species be obtained?
In principle, the beneficial organism can be obtained from any countries of Africa where it has already been released. Agencies to contact are the national biological control programmes, and/or plant protection services. The TT&U programme of the IITA/GTZ (see address at the end of the brochure) supplies initial populations of T.n. to national programmes. Several other countries also have laboratory strains of T.n. from which the initial stock can be supplied to start new breeding activities. T.n. is also easy to find in maize stores infested with P.t. in the zones of release. Alternatively, T.n. can also be caught in pheromone traps in the field, as it responds to the same pheromone as P.t..
When transporting the beneficial animals, ensure that they are not exposed to any damaging influences such as low temperatures, low pressure, lack of oxygen etc., such as prevail in aircraft cargo holds. The animals are best stored in a tightly-sealed glass jar, and carried in the hand luggage. T.n. transport should always be carried out or supervised by specialists.