Exosex USA Launch for Codling Moth and Oriental Fruit Moth

(PRWeb) January 12, 2007 -- Exosect, a leading provider of environmentally conscious insect pest control, continues to expand into the worldwide pest control market with the announcement today that Sci-Protek has been appointed to handle the distribution of Exosex CM and the second of the Exosex product range, Exosex OFM, throughout the USA.

"Sci-Protek is a California based research and technology company that specialises in soft pest control alternatives and integrated pest management," explains Exosect's Managing Director, Martin Brown. "Sci-Protek has trialled both Exosex CM for Codling moth and Exosex OFM for Oriental Fruit moth on conventional and organic sites over the last two years in major growing areas with key universities and growers. They are now in a position to formally launch the products for the 2007 growing season which they will manage via key regional and national distributors."

The Exosex CM system is already helping growers reduce the number of sprays they use in orchards in the UK, South Africa and New Zealand. In addition, US growers will be the first to be able to use the second of the Exosex product range, Exosex OFM (Oriental Fruit Moth).

The Exosex product range is a highly original, environmentally friendly method of pest control. It uses a synthetic female sexual pheromone to attract males into a dispenser where electrostatic Entostat powder, combined with the pheromone, is stored. The powder adheres to the males and a state of 'auto-confusion' results -- their sensors are overwhelmed, they cannot detect females, they act as a false sexual lure for other males and the mating cycle breaks down.

Director of Sales and Marketing at Sci-Protek, Patrick Murphy comments, "We are pleased to be the US partner for Exosect, especially as both Exosex products have performed well in trials, not just in the US but in other continents. It is a unique products range and we are delighted to bring it to our growers. In addition to these products we will also be working closely with Exosect to trial further products in the range for several other species of major commercial importance in the US market."

How Exosex CM and Exosex OFM work
Exosex CM & Exosex OFM require only 10 dispensers per acre, each dispenser containing a synthetic female Codling Moth pheromone or female Oriental Fruit Moth pheromone, which is formulated with Exosect's unique and natural Entostat powder. The system works by luring males into the dispensers using the female pheromone, once they enter, the Entostat powder adheres strongly to the bodies of the male. The sensors of the coated moths are overwhelmed which means that they are unable to detect females, and therefore they do not mate, a process known as auto-confusion. They also act as a false lure for other moths and the mating cycle is disrupted resulting in fewer caterpillars emerging to cause fruit damage. The technique is simple and helps to reduce the use of chemical spraying and the potential of residues in the crop.

About Exosect
Exosect Limited was formed in 2001 to commercialize innovative pest control technology developed at the Southampton University's School of Biological Sciences. Focusing primarily on R&D, Exosect has developed a range of delivery systems based on the concept of attractants and active ingredients formulated with patented powder carrier systems. Specialising in IPM based, environmentally acceptable pest control products, markets include crop protection (agriculture and horticulture), stored product, amenity landscape and public health. More on Exosect: www.exosect.com

Editor's Notes
Further information on Exosect - including interviews, demonstrations, users stories and site visits - is available from:

Lynsey Thorp / Spencer Butt
Exosect Press Office at MCC International Ltd
Tel: 01962 888 100 / Fax: 01962 888125

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