Field trials – April 2022
April was an important month for CEARITIS. It marked the start of field trials for the biocontrol solution against Drosophila Suzukii.
This step is necessary for CEARITIS, as it confirms the tests that have been carried out in the laboratory for several weeks. It will enable us to obtain essential data for calibrating the biocontrol solution. These results will enable us to prepare and calibrate the trap for the second tests scheduled for 2023 by refining the trap’s technical characteristics on the basis of the feedback we receive. Our work will build on the first version of our trap, which will be released in 2021. Today, the trap we are using to test our solutions is an improved version of the old design.
Our attractive trap for tree pestss
The trap developed by CEARITIS since 2019 is the PIRA, installed in orchards which diffuses CEARITIS’ innovative attractive solution. SAMO, the attractive solution against the olive fly. Tested in real conditions in 2021, feedback has enabled us to move from V1 of our trap to V2, which is more effective than the old one.
Find out more about CEARITIS biocontrol protection by clicking here
From V.1 to V.2, what has changed in the trap?
This V.2 of the trap has been adapted to the characteristics of the arboriculturists’ plots and the behaviour of the pests. Our industrial designer has worked on several technical aspects of the trap to improve its effectiveness.
Colour : The insects’ perception of colour was improved by making the attractive part of the trap transparent. After field trials and various research studies, colour was identified as an attraction factor in Drosophila. This is why we worked on two aspects of perception, colour, which is a visual attractant, and its transparency, leaving the coloured attractant elements visible.
Ergonomics: The capture of pests has been optimised by rethinking the ergonomics, the shape of the trap and the passive diffusion of the attractive solution. The upper part of the trap has been reworked in addition to being optimised for colour to make it easier to capture flies and disperse the attractant.
La résistance : L’adaptabilité face au terrain et aux intempéries du piège a été repensée pour résister à la chaleur, au vent et à la pluie. Ces variations climatiques pouvaient altérer le premier piège. Nous avons alors remédié à ce problème afin de proposer un produit durable qui ne se dégrade pas avec le temps.
Our partners for our field test
For our field tests, we have called on a number of external partners, who are giving us the opportunity to carry out our tests in the best possible environment by providing us with a location and a support framework to help us complete the project. Here are our three partners:
Coopfruit du Luberon, Located in Villars, Coopfruit allows us to carry out our field trials on plots belonging to fruit growers who are members of the coop. This partnership is essential for launching the trials, providing us with cherry orchards to test the PIRA.
A manufacturer in the sector which allows us to carry out analyses on the quality of the fruit once it has been harvested. This analysis will enable CEARITIS to ensure the adaptability of the solution at foodgrade level. This analysis will focus on fruit damage, i.e. the number of infected fruits after the trial period.
A BPE partner helping to conduct the trials and comes to validate the BPEs (good experimental practices) during the tests. BPE approval certifies the efficacy and controls the toxicity of plant protection products. This approval is issued by the Ministry of Agriculture for a period of 5 years.
Our aim is to have our solution approved for marketing in 2023.
Would you like to find out more about the development process for our technology? click here
