Aphid Biological Control

Aphidoletes Aphidimyza

• Fly whose bright orange larvae feed on over 60 species of aphids by injecting toxin into aphid leg joints and sucking out the entire body contents through a hole formed in the thorax.
• Adults are less than 1/8 inch long, and are black and shiny
• Reproduce during growing season, though more than one implementation is usually necessary

Usage - Shipped as pupae in vermiculite

• Release rates vary depending on crop
• Usually 2-4 releases are needed
• Low releases may be used preventatively
• Flourish in humid environment, between 68-80F
• For greenhouses, extra light is needed as days shorten to keep aphidoletes from going into diapause (bug hibernation)

Targets: Aphids 

Pricing:	AP25	250 Aphidoletes	$16.00	order
	AP1K	1,000 Aphidoletes	$35.00	order
	AP3K	3,000 Aphidoletes	$70.00	order

Order by Thursday for shipping the following Wednesday

 

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Aphidius colemani, Aphidius matricariae, Aphidius ervi

• The “Aphidius” genus are parasitoid wasps that belong to the Braconid family
• Adults are tiny wasps (up to 2-3mm), darkly colored, and non-stinging
• Larvae (immature wasps) develop inside of aphid, resulting in aphid “mummies”
• Aphidius genus will also feed on aphids
• Most effective when dealing with lower aphid populations; aphidius is good at hunting down aphids
• For best results releases should be 1 week apart to establish overlapping generations

Usage – Shipped as pupae (cocoons).

Prior to aphid detection – 400 aphidius/acre

After aphid detection – 2000 aphidius/acre released 2-3 times, 1 week apart

see specific species below for more release information

 

Other Notes – Yellow trap cards used for monitoring pests will also attract aphidius species. If using cards to attract whitefly, only use 1 card/100 plants. Blue trap cards can be used to monitor thrips. Aphidius is also sensitive to pesticides and insecticidal soaps. 

Targets: Aphids

Aphidius Colemani – targets green peach(especially on cucumbers), cotton(melon) aphid, and other closely related species.  Release 1-5/sq. ft. for prevention, or 50/sq. ft. for treatment, 2-3 times every week.

Pricing:	APC5	#500 pupae	$44.00	order
	APC1	#1000 pupae	$58.00	order

Order by Wednesday for shipping following Tuesday or Wednesday

 

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Aphidius ervi  

• 1-3/sq ft, as preventative or when aphids are first seen

Targets: Potato Aphid (Macrosyphum euphorbiae)

Pricing:

AE25

#250 pupae

$62.00

order

 Order by Wednesday for shipping following Tuesday or Wednesday

 

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Aphidius matricariae  

• 10/sq ft weekly

Targets: Green Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae) and related species. 

pricing:

APM5

#500 pupae

$42.00

order

Order by Wednesday for shipping following Tuesday or Wednesday 

 

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Aphelinus abdominalis 

• Parasitizes Potato Aphid & Foxglove Aphid
  
• great for greenhouses
• can be used with another parasitoid or predator for greater coverage
• 2-5/100 sq ft, once a week, 2-4 times

pricing:

APAB

#250 pupae

$62.00

order

Order by Tuesday for shipment following Tuesday 

 

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Ace Mix 2:1:1 A. colemani, A. ervi, and Aphelinus abdominalis 

• Targets 25 different species of aphids

• 50/100 ft²  for a hot spot or 500-3000/acre every week 2-4 times

pricing:

ACE5

#500 pupae

$63.00

order

 Order by Tuesday for shipment following Tuesday 

 

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Lacewing (Chrysoperla rufilabris)

• Be sure to rid area of ants before introducing lacewings or any other predator/parasitoid (ants will protect honeydew producing pests such as whitefly, aphids, scale)
• Immature lacewings feed on soft-bodied insects and resemble tiny alligators
• Adults feed on insect honeydew excretions, nectar or pollen before producing eggs
• Higher temperatures will produce higher metabolic rate and larger appetite
• Cannibalistic when other food is not present

Usage – Shipped as eggs packed in rice hulls, on cards, or in a cup in bulk. Lacewing adults are also available as well as larvae. Larvae will emerge from eggs in 3-5 days at 80˚F.

Targets: whitefly

               scales

               mealybugs

               thrips

               psyllids

               mites

               caterpillars

 

Pricing:	LW1R	#2,500 eggs (rice hulls)	$7.50	order
	LW2C	#2,500 eggs (cards)	$16.00	order
	LW5R	#5,000 eggs (rice hulls)	$24.00	order
	LW5C	#5,000 eggs (cards)	$24.00	order
	LWER	#10,000 eggs (rice hulls)	$35.00	order
	LWEC	#10,000 eggs (cards)	$35.00	order
	LWBU	#5,000 eggs (cup)	$25.00	order
	LWLA	#500 larvae	$24.00	order
	LWA1	#100 adults	$48.00	order

Order 24 hr ahead for shipping Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday