£5.99
Aphid is a name for a large group of insects, many of which can cause serious damage to plants. They extract sap from plants causing a reduction in plant growth, reduced yields, and sometimes defoliation. Aphids can also secrete toxic substances into the plants. The Aphids take proteins from the sap and then excrete the excess sugar left in the sap back onto plants. This causes a sticky mess on the leaves, which black molds often grow on.
Aphids are soft bodied and often shed white skins onto leaves. Adult Aphids can be green, yellow, pink, black, grey or brown.
Aphidius colemani are natural parasites of Aphids (also known as Greenfly & Blackfly). These tiny beneficial insects lay their eggs inside Aphids. The Aphid then dies and turns into a parasitised mummy. This is brown in colour and contains a developing colemani wasp. The wasp will grow and eat its way out of the Aphid, puncturing a small hole through the mummy in order to emerge. This process takes about 2 weeks in a suitable environment. The newly emerged colemani will then start to search for other Aphids to lay eggs in and kill. This is a classic example of biological control at work.
Aphidius colemaniparasitise the following Aphid species:
The Aphidius colemani should be introduced in temperatures over 13℃.
The Aphidius colemani are more effective if introduced in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse.
The Aphidius colemani should be used in peak Aphid season which is from March to September.
Each Aphid Killer Card will each release 100 Aphidius colemani wasps.Please note that when you receive the cards, the wasps may still be emerging from the eggs they are supplied in.
5 cards should suffice to treat a small-average sized greenhouse.Repeat applications may be required for heavy infestations of Aphids, or if treating Aphids over a season. In such cases it is recommended that you introduce the Aphidius colemani every 2 weeks (in a peak Aphid season).
In cases of lighter infestation, it is recommended that the colemani be introduced for at least 3 weeks.
Large Aphid colonies may also require the introduction of Lacewing larvae, Ladybird larvae or the Aphidoletes aphidimyza.
If there are multiple species of Aphids present, we recommend the introduction of Aphiscout, a product containing multiple Aphid parasites
Please note the Aphidius colemani will hatch inside the cards, then emerge from the back (once opened) before they begin their hunt for Aphids / Greenfly.
Please ensure to remove any sticky traps when introducing the colemani, as the wasps may get caught on them.
Full instructions will be provided on delivery
Aphidius colemani is a living creature and can be affected by any chemical pesticides used within the previous few weeks. As a general guide, refrain from using Natural Pyrethrum or SB Plant Invigorator 2 days prior to use. Other chemical insecticides can have long lasting residues that could harm colemani and other predators for much longer periods. Refrain from using these products or check with Dragonfli for information on the effect of these products on our predators.
