Delphastus catalinae - Whitefly Control

$24.99

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Description

LIVE DELIVERY GUARANTEE

 

TARGET PESTS:
Feeds on most Whitefly species including: Greenhouse Whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), Tobacco Whitefly, Banded-winged Whitefly (Trialeurodes spp.), Sweet Potato Whitefly, Silverleaf Whitefly (Bemisia spp.), Woolly Whitefly (Aleurothrixus floccosus), Azalea and Hibiscus Whitefly (Pealius spp.), Cloudy Winged, Citrus and Rhododendron Whitefly (Dialeurodes spp.), Citrus Blackfly (Aleurocanthus woglumi); They will also feed on other small insects, such as spider mites, broad mites and aphids.

 

ABOUT DELPHASTUS CATALINAE:
Delphastus catalinae, commonly known as the Delphastus Beetle, is a remarkable predator in the world of biological pest control. These small native beetles, typically measuring around 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 inches), possess a rounded and compact body shape. Their overall appearance is shiny and black, with distinctive reddish-brown legs and antennae.

These beetles are agile and quick in their movements, allowing them to navigate through dense foliage and actively hunt for prey. Delphastus beetles are most effective when whitefly populations are high, making them suitable for addressing severe infestations. Delphastus beetles do not enter diapause or hibernation during fall and winter, allowing for year-round utilization both indoors and outdoors.

Research has found that each beetle can eat up to 10,000 whitefly eggs. Adult females must consume at least 100 whitefly eggs a day to produce up to 4 eggs per day. Larvae are creamy white in color, resembling small alligator-like insects.

Delphastus works best if your whitefly population is high, while Encaria formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus do better with light to moderate infestations. Delphastus do not enter diapause/ hibernation during the fall and winter, therefore they can be used indoor or outdoors all year long.

 

INTRODUCTION RATES:
Temperature: 77°-86°F, avoid temperatures below 50°F
Humidity: 60%+

100 adults per "hot spot" or 10 adults per plant, weekly, 3-4 times.
5 beetles per 10 sq.ft. weekly, 3-4 times.

It's important to note that these introduction 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.

 

STORAGE:
For best results, release immediately. If storage is necessary, do not refrigerate. Store in a cool dark place for no longer than 24 hours.

 

LIFE CYCLE:
The lifecycle of Delphastus catalinae takes approximately 20-30 days, and consists of several stages including egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Adult females lay their eggs near Whitefly colonies, often directly on Whitefly eggs or pupae. Eggs hatch in 3-5 days. After hatching, the larvae actively consume whitefly eggs, larvae, and pupae for approximately 7-10 days. Then, they pupate for about 6-8 days, emerging as an adult for several weeks to a few months.

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.


TARGET PESTS

Scientific Name: Delphastus catalinae

Most Whitefly species including Greenhouse, Banded-Winged, Sweet Potato, Silverleaf, Woolly, Azalea, Hibiscus, Citrus, Rhododendron, & more.

Also preys on Citrus Blackfly, Spider Mites, Aphids, & more when Whiteflies are scarce.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

LIVE DELIVERY GUARANTEED

Great choice for an active infestation due to its high consumption rate. Combine with Encarsia formosa for total control.

Delphastus, also known as the whitefly predator beetle, is a highly effective predator targeting whiteflies and other small arthropods. With a dome-shaped body, adults measure about 1.5-2 mm in length, featuring brown or black wing covers with a shiny metallic appearance. Females lay eggs near whitefly colonies, which hatch into larvae within days, voraciously feeding on whitefly eggs, nymphs, and pupae. After pupation, they emerge as hungry adults, continuing their predatory behavior. Agile and quick, Delphastus beetles excel in high whitefly population situations and can consume up to 10,000 whitefly eggs each. Unlike some predators, they do not hibernate during fall and winter, allowing year-round utilization both indoors and outdoors. They complement other predators like Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus for light to moderate infestations, making them a valuable asset in biological pest control. Females can lay several hundred eggs over a 2-month lifespan.
CROPS

CROPS
Vegetable Crops
Soft Fruit Crops
Ornamental Crops

USAGES
Greenhouses
Interiorscapes
Field Crops
Gardens
Orchards

INTRODUCTION RATES

1-5 beetles per 10 sq. ft., weekly, 3-4 times
Or 100 beetles per "hot spot"
Temperature Range: 50-90°F
Humidity: 60%+

It's important to note that these release rates serve as general guidelines and can differ depending on the specific pest species, the plant being treated, and level of infestation. Proper monitoring of the infestation and the released beneficial insect population is crucial for determining the success of the biological control strategy.
APPLICATION
Gently disperse insects onto infested plants. Leave open container in place for 24 hours to allow any remaining insects to be released.
PRO TIPS
  • GOOD BUG DIET

    Maintaining your growing operation relies on well-fed beneficial insects as your natural defenders. By providing dependable food sources, you enhance their strength and effectiveness.

  • Great choice for active infestations due to its high consumption rate.
  • Pesticides, even-wetting agents, and spreader-stickers may adversely affect beneficial insect survival. Broad spectrum and systemic insecticides are toxic.

  • Depending on the size and type of plants, the number and type of pests, other predator and parasite populations, and temperature, the frequency of releases may be affected.

     

STORAGE

For best results, introduce immediately upon receipt. If storage is necessary, store at 39-46°F for no longer than 48 hours. Store out of direct sunlight. Do not freeze.

DISCLAIMER

Store Policies

Please review our store policies below on Shipping & Processing, Live Delivery Guarantee, and Returns/Replacements. By placing your order, you are agreeing to these policies. Thank you!

Thank you for shopping with us! No recommendation on pesticide use has been made by, or provided to, by the seller concerning the use of the pesticide covered by this website. Purchaser claims is for home use only and "not for commercial use".
Shipping & Processing:
Please allow 1-3 business days to process your order. At Natures Good Guys, we offer a variety of shipping methods for you to choose from when checking out after your purchase to give you flexibility. Overnight shipping and Second day are shipping services that we offer, however, choosing those services does not mean your order will ship the same day your order was placed. Overnight and second day shipping starts at transit time NOT when the order is placed.  While every effort will be made to expedite your order, we cannot guarantee same day order processing. Orders are shipped as quickly as possible and according to the availability of the product. Tracking information for UPS, USPS and FedEx deliveries will automatically be sent to your email if and when that information is available. 
Harvest Delays:
Please note that while we make our best attempt to keep all of our products in stock, nature sometimes thinks differently! We need to work with the natural reproductive cycles of living organisms, which means that on occasion your order will be delayed. Certain insects are harvested on specific days only, and sometimes our harvest will be delayed. In such a case, we will make our best attempt to send your order as soon as possible, or notify you through email or phone if there will be a significant delay.
Overnight Shipping:
We ship Overnight orders from Mon-Thurs and Second day orders from Mon-Wed (excluding holiday weeks/schedule varies), in order to prevent bugs from sitting in warehouses all weekend long and to assure their viability upon arrival. Second day orders will ship on Thursdays but only those whose address is Saturday deliverable. We do NOT ship Overnight and Second day orders Fri-Sun. USPS orders ship from Mon-Fri. Our cutoff time is 12 PM (pacific time). Please provide an email and phone number when placing your order, in case of a delay we will notify you to inform you about the delay and when to expect your order.  We DO NOT ship to PO boxes. We reserve the right to withhold shipments due to weather extremes or holidays.

Changes/Cancellations:
Due to the high volume of orders we process, we kindly ask that you notify us within 30 minutes of placing your order for any changes or cancellation requests. If you reach out to us after the order has already entered production, we will make our best efforts to accommodate your request; however, we cannot guarantee its feasibility at that stage.
Live Delivery Guarantee:
At NaturesGoodGuys, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality beneficial insects to enhance your gardening experience. Our Live Delivery Guarantee means that if you receive insects that are not viable upon delivery, you can contact us for a resolution.Simply email us at naturesgoodguys@gmail.com, providing your order number and a detailed description of the issue you encountered. We may require photos of both the insects and the packaging they arrived in. Our dedicated team will work diligently to address the problem and find a suitable solution.

Please note that our Live Delivery Guarantee pertains specifically to the condition of the insects at the time of delivery and does not cover instances where insects may perish at a later stage.   We will exercise our discretion to assess whether your situation falls within the time frame qualifying for our policy. Factors such as the insect species, hatching time, temperature conditions, and other relevant considerations will be taken into account to determine the applicability of the guarantee. For non-hatching insects, you must contact us within 48 hours of delivery in order to be considered for the guarantee. Replacements will only be processed/shipped on Wednesdays & Thursdays.

Upon receiving your package from NaturesGoodGuys, we highly recommend opening it immediately and checking for a sticker indicating the need for refrigeration. It's crucial to carefully read the instructions included for specific storage information to ensure the well-being of your beneficial insects. We are not responsible for replacements due to incorrect storage methods.

One important thing to note is that we do not expect ice packs to remain frozen or cold upon delivery. Ice packs serve as a temporary measure to help maintain moisture and temperatures during transit.Please keep in mind that some insects may require time to adjust and recover from transit before they become active. If you don't observe immediate movement upon opening the package, this doesn't necessarily mean they are not viable. Give them a little time, and monitor for signs of activity as they settle into their new environment. Most of our insects are difficult to see without magnification.

Some species/quantities do not have multiple shipping methods to choose from because they require short transit time for viability. For those who have concerns about the well-being of their insects during transit, we suggest selecting overnight shipping. This ensures that your beneficial insects spend minimal time in transit, reducing stress and maximizing their chances of arriving in optimal condition.
Returns/Replacements:
If you have received an item that is damaged, defective or incorrect, please contact us immediately when you receive your shipment to resolve the problem. We do not typically ask for dead insects to be sent back to us, but replacements can be scheduled if the order is qualified, which is determined by customer support (please read our Live Delivery Guarantee). Please note that while we will happily replace packages that have been damaged, incorrect, or lost, we are not responsible for dead insects in the following situations:

1. Customer input the incorrect shipping information: If the customer contacts our help line BEFORE their order has been processed to correct an address error we will be able to perform this change for you so that you can receive your order.
2. Customer did not follow the instructions included with the shipped item: All of our items including our beneficial insects are shipped with instructions on proper use and storage (this can also be found on our website). Failure to follow the printed instructions or using a product other than for its intended uses will result in unsatisfactory results. Each case of unsatisfactory results are unique, therefore a customer service agent will help assess if the instructions were followed before any further actions can be taken on a claim.
3. Customer's inability to receive the shipment in a timely fashion after delivery. If a customer is not home to accept the package when it is delivered, it is either taken back to the post office or left exposed to the elements in your yard or mailbox and this will cause stress to the insects, potentially resulting in insect death. Make sure that when you place an order you arrange a convenient time to be home to accept the shipment when it is delivered. We provide tracking information on all shipped orders so that the customer can be aware of when they should be expecting their order. Do not place an order you do not think you will be home to accept as we will not replace packages that die out of customer negligence.