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This product has been removed from sale for the time-being. We have seen improved Aphid predation results with Hoverfly larvae so are currently supplying these as a replacement product.
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.
Ladybird larvae are potent predators of Aphids (also known as Greenfly & Blackfly). This native Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) is also known as the Two Spotted Ladybird and can consume up to 100 aphids each day.
The initial advantage of using Ladybird larvae is the sheer number of Aphids that will be consumed. Ladybird larvae, as they develop, will simply consume huge quantities of Aphids. The Ladybird larvae also roughly stay situated in the same area as to where they were released. This makes direct application onto infestations straightforward. Both Ladybird larvae, and Ladybird adults will feed on Aphids, which ensures you will benefit from having the Ladybirds on your plants for multiple stages of their life cycle.
Ladybird larvae will predominantly consume most species of Aphid, but will also feed on other soft-bodied pests such as Spider Mite and Thrip. We would, however, advise use of more specific predators in tackling these pests. See our range of available Spider Mite and Thrip predators by clicking the links here.
Ladybird larvae perform particularly well in greenhouses and polytunnels and will attack local infestations of pests. Our Adalia bipunctataLadybird larvae naturally like to inhabit trees and shrubs and so are also effective predators for use on aphids found on trees and shrubs like roses.
Ladybird larvae can be used in temperatures above 10℃ indoors or outdoors. The optimum temperature for utilising Ladybird larvae has been proven to be above 15℃. Ladybird larvae should only be introduced once pests are present.
We also advise making your garden as attractive as possible to Ladybirds. Try planting a range of pollen bearing plants, and provide overwintering sites for the ladybirds; such as log piles.
For indoor use of Ladybird Larvae: they should be released from March to September.
For outdoor use of Ladybird Larvae: they should be released from May to September.
Release the larvae into Aphid hotspots by cutting open the sachet and gently pouring the larvae directly onto your plants. You can also apply each larvae individually with the aid of a paintbrush, or use our Distribution Boxes.
Full instructions will be provided on delivery.
As a general guide we advise applying Ladybird larvae at a rate of 10-20 per square metre. This would equate to around 5 larvae per medium sized plant. For trees and shrubs, 1-3 Distribution Boxes per tree, or shrub, should suffice depending on the size of the tree and level of infestation.
The larvae will feed for around three weeks before developing into adults. There are four larval stages before they pupate into adults. There can be about 3 generations a year and they overwinter as adults.
Ladybird larvae are living creatures 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 the Ladybird larvae 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.
First pack - Arrived just now. Sachet opened, counted at least a dozen hatched and dead, one alive. A few pupae still to go, but with half already dead, disappointing.
Replacement pack sent out, thank you, and these were mainly alive. Released into a large Acer, now waiting to see if the aphid problem improves. Will update later. Fingers crossed.
We had a bad infestation on a Norway spruce and I purchased 100 ladybirds and some boxes to distribute. There are now lots of ladybirds and ladybird larvae in the area but no aphids at all so I’m assuming they have done the job! I would buy again. A great way to avoid insecticides. I’ve added a photo to show how bad the original aphid infestation was.
They were beautifully active when they arrived, but they made no difference to our black fly infestation on our broad beans. I had waited before squirting black fly with water, so the larvae had something to eat, but it didn't work. Two days later I had to get the hose out. I feel I might have been given the wrong thing... Dragonfli responded with replacement larvae that were clearly the right thing in just a few days.
All the tiny ladybird larvae were dead. I put them out as shown -just because I thought maybe they weren't meant to be moving at that stage - but not one ever emerged and their little husks just crumbled exactly where they were left. I wrote to Dragonfli by email but got no reply.
I'm left having wasted £30+ and nothing to show for it. Dragonfli could not have failed me more! Accidents happen, naturally, but to fail to respond when I wrote with all the details of my purchase and payment etc is LOW!
UPDATE: I have now been sent a replacement batch which have arrived promptly and are alive and well. Many thanks to Dragonfli for great response and remedy action. It was a bit of a problem to start but the company have rectified all and redeemed themselves with great follow up service. THANK YOU
They are doing a great job, while I still have greenfly the plants are recovering.
