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Contains
SCALESURE (mix) – A mix of Metaphycus helvolus, Encarsia citrina, Coccophagus lycimnia and Encyrtus infelix. Unit: 25 in a 30ml tube.
Target Pest
For soft scale insects, particularly Saisettia coffeae and Coccus hesperidum which are the most common scale pests in protected ornamental crops. Instructions
» | Release early morning or evening when vents are closed. | » | Release amongst infested plants. |
Introduction Rates
Release 5 per m2 fortnightly for two or three releases or until established. Conditions
Prefers sunny conditions and temperatures above 25°C. Use between 22°C and 29°C. Storage
» Use on day of receipt. Do not store. Technical Information
Metaphycus helvolus is a parasitic wasp 1-2mm in length. The yellow females attack young soft scales once they have settled to start feeding. They can lay 5-10 eggs per day and kill many more by host feeding. A few weeks after release a light stripe is visible in the centre of the scale. Parasitised scales appear dark and flat. A circular hole is cut in the scale at the end of incubation from which the adult emerges. Encarsia citrina is a very small (1mm) black parasitoid. Our strain is from the UK and attacks Saisettia coffaea. The parasitised scales turn black. Half grown scales are targeted. The female lays about 6 eggs per day and the life cycle takes about 1 month at 25°C. Adults live for a few days when feeding on honeydew. Coccophagus lycimnia (2mm long) is a common British parasitoid that attacks soft scales. It has a black body with a yellow spot in the middle. It attacks a variety of young soft scale species. After about 1 week the scales turn dark and the parasitoids emerge through a hole. The life cycle takes 3-4 weeks at 25°C. Encyrtus infelix is a British species that attacks soft scales such as Saisettia spp. Adult females are black. They lay eggs in light coloured scales which turn blackish once parasitised. A generation takes about 3-4 weeks at 25°C. The parasitoid thrives in warmer weather. Females lay about 30 eggs in their lifetime.
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