LIVE DELIVERY GUARANTEED
TARGET PESTS:
Many species of small-bodied Aphids such as Cotton/Melon Aphid, Green Peach Aphid, Black Bean Aphids, Cannabis Aphids, and more.
ABOUT APHIDIUS COLEMANI:
Aphidius colemani, commonly known as the Aphid Parasitoid Wasp, is a beneficial insect that plays a crucial role in controlling aphid populations. These tiny wasps measure around 2-3 mm in length and have a black body with translucent wings. They are often mistaken for small flies due to their size and delicate appearance. Aphidius colemani is widely distributed and commonly used in biological pest control programs in agriculture and horticulture.
Aphidius colemani is an important beneficial insect because it specifically targets aphids, which are notorious pests that can cause significant damage to a wide range of plants. These parasitoid wasps provide an efficient and natural method of aphid control, helping to protect plants from the harmful effects of aphid infestations.
Sex ratio is 60-70% female. Each female can lay more than 300 eggs. The female wasps use their sharp ovipositor to lay eggs inside aphids. Once the eggs hatch, the wasp larvae feed on the internal fluids of the aphids, eventually leading to the pest perishing.
RELEASE LOCATIONS:
Indoors and outdoors on a wide range of plants in greenhouses, vegetable crops, ornamental crops, soft fruits, tree nurseries, horticulture landscapes, and various other types of crops.
Make use of Gardening Zone's Hanging Release Boxes for a clean and efficient method of deploying your predators. Our release boxes are designed to concentrate your predators on infested areas, allowing for targeted pest control without any mess, and also help to keep your product dry.
RELEASE RATES:
PREVENTATIVE RELEASE:
1-2 wasps per square foot every 1-2 weeks.
CURATIVE RELEASE:
5-10 wasps per square foot, weekly for at least 3 weeks.
Sprinkle contents onto leaves or into Hanging Release Boxes and hang on infested plants. Do not place pupae directly onto soil or substrate and keep product dry.
It's important to note that these release rates serve as general guidelines and may vary based on the specific pest species, the crop or plant being treated, and level of infestation. Proper monitoring of the infestation and the subsequent effectiveness of the released beneficial insect population is crucial for determining the success of the biological control strategy.
LIFESPAN:
Lifespan can vary depending on various factors such as temperature, availability of hosts, and environmental conditions. On average, the adult lifespan ranges from 10 to 20 days, larval stage ranges from 7-10 days, and egg stage typically around 3-4 days.
It's important to note that these time-frames are approximate and can be influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, and the availability of prey. Monitoring the development and activity of beneficial insect populations, along with environmental conditions, can help determine the progress and effectiveness of their role in pest control efforts.
PRO TIPS:
Proper identification of the aphid species is important. Monitoring the crop closely and early releases will help in overcoming the pest. Pesticides and even wetting agents and spreader-stickers may adversely affect beneficial insect survival. Broad spectrum and systemic insecticides are toxic to these insects.
Remove yellow sticky cards for the first few days after release.
