natural enemies aphids
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Adalia bipunctata coccinellid predator of aphids
Appearance: The adult Adalia beetle is about 4 mm in size. They appear in many different colour patterns. The one that is most frequently found is red with two black dots on its back. You can also find them as black beetles with 4 red dots. Larvae are grey with yellow dots and do have long legs. Eggs are elongate in shape and yellow to orange coloured. Effect/Activity: Larvae as well as adult Adalia beetles are voracious predators of many species of aphids. All aphids stages are consumed and nothing remains when feeding activity is finished. Adalia is most suitable for control of aphids in urban trees as well as in higher plants (trees) in indoor landscapes. Conditions: Adalia prefers temperatures above 15°C; at lower temperatures development is very slowly and efficacy will be minimal. Adalia can survive lower temperatures though. Biology: Adalia bipunctata is indigenous in many Western European countries. A female beetle can produce up to 50 eggs a day. These eggs will hatch within 4-8 days, depending on temperature. An adult coccinellid can live for 2-3 months. Application: ADALIA BIPUNCTATA can be used as biocontrol agent of aphids in urban trees, in greenhouse cultures and in indoor plantscapes. Ask for advice on its application. |
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Aphelinus abdominalis parasitic wasp against aphids
Appearance: A female of Aphelinus abdominalis has a black thorax, a yellow abdomen, short legs and short antennae. Females are 2.5 to 3 mm long. Males are slightly smaller and the abdomen is darker. A parasitized aphid, meaning that the female had laid an egg in it, turns black, swells slightly and becomes a little longer , which is called a mummy. The new emerging adult leaves the mummy through an irregular jagged hole. Effect/Activity: Aphelinus can parasitize different kinds of aphids, mainly the potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) and glasshouse potato aphid (Aulacorthum solani). Host feeding plays a major role in controlling the pest. The wasps use the smaller aphids to feed on while the bigger ones are used to lay eggs in. Hyper-parasitism is less common than in when aphids are parasitized by Aphidius wasps. Conditions: Aphelinus may be used under low and high temperature conditions. In general, the suppression of aphid by Aphelinus abdominalis is slow, but remains effective for a long period of time. Biology: The development of egg to adult wasp takes place entirely inside the aphid. At 25 º C the development takes ± 15 days. A female lays during the first three weeks 5-10 eggs a day. The average lifespan of a female is 30 days. Application: APHILINUS can be used in zoos, research greenhouses, botanical gardens, courtyards and in the ornamental plantings |
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Aphidoletes aphidimyza gall midge against aphids
Appearance: Aphidoletes aphidimyza are delicate insects of about 2.5 mm long. The female has a wing length of 2.5 to 3.5 mm. The legs are long and thin. The male’s antennae are long and covered with hair. The female’s antennae are shorter. Eggs are small and shiny orange, but difficult to spot. The larvae are initially very small, elongated and orange. Pupation takes place in the ground. The recently dead aphids hang on the leaves, later turning brown or black and disappear. Effect/Activity: The larva of Aphidoletes is a predator of many aphids species. Adult gall midges do not eat aphids, but lay eggs near the aphid colony. They are nocturnal. Honeydew produced by aphids, stimulates egg laying by the gall midge. The larva of the gall midge injects a poison in the aphid, the aphid then is paralyzed and can be sucked dry. If many aphids are present, the gall midge larvae kills more aphids then it actually eats. Conditions: Aphidoletes put most eggs at night when the temperature is above 16 º C and under high relative humidity conditions. Biology: At 25 º C the develop time is ± 15 days. A larvae eats 10-100 aphids. A female midge must mate in order to lay eggs. Mating takes place shortly after hatching. Application: APHIDEND can be used in zoos, research greenhouses, botanical gardens, courtyards and in the ornamental plantings |
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Aphidius colemani parasitic wasp against aphids
Appearance: The female is black with light brown legs and has a pointed abdomen, which is the same length as the wings. A male wasp has slightly longer antennae, and has a rounded abdomen which is shorter than the wings. The legs of the male are dark brown. A parasitized aphid swells and hardens into a mummy. A mummy that has been parasitized by Aphidius can be recognized the round shaped whole on the mummy that the emerging adult left behind. Effect/Activity: Aphidius colemani is especially effective against the cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) and green peach aphid (Myzus persicae). Potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) and glasshouse potato aphid (Aulacorthum solani) are not parasitized by A. colemani. The wasp has a good search behavior, which allows them to parasitized aphids at low densities. The population growth can be inhibited by hyperparasites, especially in summer and autumn. These wasps are parasites other wasp species, such as Aphidius pupae. Conditions: Aphidius is less effective under temperatures above 30 º C. In summer the wasp is found outside. Biology:The development from egg to adult wasp takes place entirely inside the aphid. At 25 º C the development takes ± 10 days. A female can lay over 300 eggs. Most eggs are laid during the first three days after maturity. The life span is about 10 days at 18-22 ° C. Application: APHIPAR can be used in zoos, research greenhouses, botanical gardens, courtyards and in the ornamental plantings |
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Chrysoperla carnea lacewing against aphids
Appearance: Adults lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea) are 23-30 mm tall, slender, yellow-green. They have large, finely-nerved wings. The eggs are transparent and stalks are greenish to white in color. The larvae have large jaws and well-developed legs. The larva is cream colored with two brown stripe on the body. The last larval instar pupates into a round white cocoon. The larvae eat up the aphid until it is completely shriveled. Therefore, dead aphids are difficult to find. Effect/Activity: Larvae of lacewings eat preferably aphids, but may eat other insects and mites and even beneficial insects. Adult lacewings feed on pollen, nectar and honeydew. The larvae are mostly active at night and shelter under the plant. They grab the prey and inject saliva that transforms the inner body into a liquid. Then they suck on their prey. Conditions: Adult lacewings do not survive temperatures above 35 º C. At a constant temperature below 10 ° C it is impossible for the lacewings larvae to complete its development. Larvae are still active at temperatures around 13 º C. Biology: A female can lay 400-500 eggs, depending on the amount of food they can find. They live a few weeks. Lacewings overwinter under Dutch conditions. They do that when adult insects in hidden places. The development from egg to adult lasts 25 days at 28 ° C. A larva eats an average of 300-400 aphids of various sizes. Application: : Chrysopa can be used in zoos, research greenhouses, botanical gardens, courtyards and in the ornamental plantings |
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Aphidius ervi parasitic wasp against aphids
Appearance: Aphidius ervi is black with light brown legs, and has a pointed abdomen, the same length as the wings. A male wasp is slightly longer antennae, a rounded abdomen that is shorter than the wings. The legs of the male are dark brown. Aphidius ervi is usually twice the size of Aphidius colemani. A parasitized aphid swells and hardens into a golden colour mummy. A mummy that has been parasitized by Aphidius ervi can be recognized the round shaped whole on the mummy that the emerging adult left behind. Effect/Activity: Aphidius ervi is especially effective against potato aphid aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) and glasshouse potato aphid (Aulacorthum solani). It is a good addition to Aphidius colemani. Both types have a good searching behavior, which allows them to parasitized aphids at low densities. The population growth can be inhibited by hyperparasites, especially in summer and autumn. These wasps parasites other wasp species, such as Aphidius ervi pupae. Conditions: Aphidius ervi is less effective under temperatures above 30 º C. However, Aphidius ervi is well adapted to low temperatures, even at a temperature of 10 ° C. Biology: The development from egg to adult wasp takes place entirely inside the aphid. At 25 º C this development takes ± 10 days. A female can lay over 300 eggs. Most eggs are laid in the first three days after maturity laid. The life span is about 10 days at 18-22 ° C. Application: ERVIPAR can be used in zoos, research greenhouses, botanical gardens, courtyards and in the ornamental plantings |
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Episyrphus balteatus hoverfly against aphids
Appearance: Adults are 10-20 mm long. The thorax is black with a yellow-brown shield. The abdomen has striking yellow with wide and narrow black stripes. They resemble to the common wasps, but are smaller and have shorter antennae. In the air, they stand like a helicopter. The eggs are white, elongated and can be easily observed with the naked eye. Older eggs are darker in color. Larvae are long and dirty white in color with orange-brown stripes. The front of their body is always narrower than the rear. They have no legs. The intestines are visible through the skin. A pop is 7.5 mm long and pear shaped. Effect/Activity: Adult hoverflies are needed nectar and pollen as food. The larvae eat aphids. They suck the aphid empty. Young aphids are sometimes eaten as a whole. Larvae are mostly active at night. Since the larvae can eat a large quantities of aphids, the aphid population is cleared in a short period of time. Conditions: Episyrphus is not effective under temperatures below 15 º C. At temperatures below 9 ° C the larvae die. Biology:The development from egg to adult at 22 º C lasts 17 days. A female lays at average 500 eggs near aphid colonies at 20 º C. Larvae eat 300-500 aphids during their lifespan. Application: SYRPHIDEND can be used in zoos, research greenhouses, botanical gardens, courtyards and in the ornamental plantings |
