HAMPSHIRE-BASED pest control firm Exosect has landed a deal to get its unique phero-mone technology into the vast Turkish market, where it will protect sultanas from moth infestations.

The Colden Common company, whose Exosex products exploit insect mating behaviour, has unveiled a partnership with Istanbul bio-control giant Boyut FT.

The tie-up will see Exosect tackle the Indian meal moth, which can destroy crops of sultanas - a key industry in Turkey.

Exosect uses traps to cover male moths in female pheromones, which overwhelm their sensors and make it impossible for them to find females, turning the hapless creature into "a false sexual lure for other males" and breaking down the mating cycle.

The technology, which was spun out of Southampton University research, has already hit the Daily Echo headlines after being employed at Covent Garden Opera House to tackle clothes moths eating away at valuable costumes.

Evren Bulay, managing director of Boyut FT, said: "The Indian meal moth is a major pest of stored products, and is one of the main species affecting stored sultanas.

"Turkey is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of sultanas, and this industry is constantly looking for effective alternatives to control this pest.

"Exosect's Exosex system provides a unique delivery method that can be used as part of a successful integrated pest management programme."

Martin Brown, managing director of Exosect, which employs 19 people, said: "Boyut FT Ltd has extensive knowledge in the registration and marketing of new technologies in this market.

"We are delighted to be working in conjunction with them.

"The Exosex system has proven to be very effective in other storage situations such as tobacco, cereal and confectionery, and we hope that with their help the Exosex SPL system will become a success in this market."