Product description
A 500ml bottle contains 1000 pupae (cocoons) of
Aphidoletes aphidimyza in vermiculite. Each Blister Pack contains 250 pupae (cocoons). The emerging midges mate and then lay eggs near aphid colonies. The eggs hatch into highly visible orange larvae which feed on the colonies of all types of aphids.
Aphid Predatory Midge
- Easy to use and to monitor
- Excellent host-finding ability
- Curative treatment for aphid infestation; larvae reported as feeding on 60 species
- Blister Pack Protects un-hatched cocoons from desiccation and predation optimal emergence rates!
- Easy to use - once the first adult midges emerge just hang blister in the crop and open the release hatch at the back
Used for
| Aphids |
Aubergine |
|
Cucumber |
|
Cut Flowers |
|
Melons |
|
Ornamental pot plants |
|
Pepper |
|
Raspberries |
|
Strawberry |
General Information
Aphidoletes adults are attracted to and feed on aphid honeydew. Females lay from 60-250 eggs amongst aphid colonies. Eggs hatch within 2 days at 23°C and the larvae feed for 6 days before falling to the ground and pupating in a cocoon. Hatching occurs 3-14 days later depending on temperature. Larvae bite the aphids’ legs, injecting a paralysing toxin. They paralyse 35 aphids, but will consume only a few before reaching maturity, thus immobilizing the colony to allow easy feeding.
Instructions for use
Release between March and September to avoid pupal diapause unless lighting is available. Make weekly releases to maintain control levels.
Blister:
Keep at room temperature until first adults are seen
Place the blister packs into areas where aphids have established in the crop
The tab on the back of the pack should be opened once the first emerged adults are seen in the blisterBottle:
- Use at the rate of 10 pupae per m2 around aphid colonies for curative use
- Use at 5 per m²for more widespread infestations
- Either put mixture into small containers containing moist, but not wet, peat or vermiculite and distribute them in the greenhouse or alternatively, tip the contents of the bottle to form small piles on the surface of moist Rockwool or capillary matting in the crop
- Keep humid but not wet
- Establishment will be reduced by plastic mulches
Storage and transport
- Transport and store at 6-10ºC
- Keep out of direct sunlight
- Use within 18 hours of receipt