Aphid control

Aphidius are small, black, parasitic wasps between 2-4mm long.  Females hunt for individual aphids in which to lay their eggs.  Once an egg is laid the wasp larva feeds internally on the live host.  The aphid continues to feed and develop until the parasite is mature when the aphid dies and an adult parasite emerges by cutting a hole in the aphids skin.

Parasitized aphids can easily be recognised by being swollen and a silvery brown colour - the aphid mummy.  Aphidius works better on small, isolated patches of aphid and the species of Aphidius used depends on the species of aphid present.  Aphidius colemani is effective against small aphids such as Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii.

Directions for Use

Aphidius are small, black, parasitic wasps between 2-4mm long.  Females hunt for individual aphids in which to lay their eggs.  Once an egg is laid the wasp larva feeds internally on the live host.  The aphid continues to feed and develop until the parasite is mature when the aphid dies and an adult parasite emerges by cutting a hole in the aphids skin.

Parasitized aphids can easily be recognised by being swollen and a silvery brown colour - the aphid mummy.  Aphidius works better on small, isolated patches of aphid and the species of Aphidius used depends on the species of aphid present.  Aphidius ervi is better for control of larger aphids such as Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Aulacorthum solani.

Directions for Use

Aphidoletes aphidimyza is a midge with predatory larvae that can control many aphid species. Adults are about 2mm long and lay eggs in colonies of aphids. Eggs hatch in 2-3 days and the orange-red larvae immediately start to search for aphids. 

Larvae inject a poison into the aphid to paralyse it and dissolve the body contents.  The larvae take 7-16 days to mature before pupating in soil or compost and adults emerge after 10-14 days.

Directions for Use

Aphelinus abdominalis is another parasitic wasp. Adults are about 3mm long and have relatively short legs and antennae.  Females have a black thorax and yellow abdomen (males have a darker abdomen).  They do not often fly and tend to walk over crops to find aphids. 

An egg is laid in the aphid and mummies are formed.  Like Aphidius ervi it parasitises large aphids such as Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Aulacorthum solani.

Directions for Use

Adalia bipunctata is the indigenous two-spot ladybird.  Both adults and larvae eat aphids but will prey on other small insects, mites or each other if food becomes scarce.  Older larvae can consume up to 100 aphids a day. 

Larvae are very mobile and are grey/black in colour with a number of bright spots.  They grow up to around 5mm long and have six legs towards the front of their body.  Adults are orange/red in colour with the characteristic 2 spots.

Directions for use

Chrysoperla carnea is an indigenous green lacewing.  The larvae are voracious predators of aphids and a wide range of other insects whilst adults feed on pollen, nectar, honeydew, etc.  Larvae consume 20-50 aphids a day and will quickly reduce aphid populations once established.

They are also cannibalistic and feed on eggs and other larvae when food becomes short.  Larvae are whitish grey and have prominent mouthparts.  They take between 12-21 days to pass through three larval stages before pupating in a silken cocoon.

Directions for Use