Aphelinus abdominalis - Aphid Control

$83.00

SKU:

Description

LIVE DELIVERY GUARANTEED 

 

TARGET PESTS: 
Over 200 species of aphids. Targets larger-bodied aphid species such as the Potato Aphid, Foxglove/Glasshouse Aphid, and the Green Peach Aphid.

 

ABOUT APHELINUS ABDOMINALIS:
Aphelinus abdominalis, a natural aphid predator, is about 3mm long with short legs, short antennae, and a yellow abdomen. This beneficial insect is best suited for preventing outbreaks of aphids during the early risk period. It may be used at higher rates in conjunction with other beneficial insects, such as Aphidius colemani and Aphidius ervi, to bring moderate infestations under control.

A female can lay up to 250 eggs in a 3 week cycle. The female insect will lay an egg directly into the aphid body where it hatches and the larvae consumes the aphid from within. When the parasite larva is fully grown, the host hardens into a leathery black colored mummy. The aphid turns black 7 days after parasitism. The mummy then takes an additional 14 days to develop into an adult, when it emerges through a hole at the rear of the mummy. The first mummies should be seen in your crops in a minimum of 14 days after  the first release.

 

PRODUCT INFORMATION:
Minimum of 250 viable adults per unit. A food source is provided to ensure that emerged adults arrive in the best possible condition. Aphelinus tend to walk over crops rather than fly, so it remains on the crop and does not readily leave the greenhouse.

 

SUITABLE CROPS:
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.

 

INTRODUCTION RATES:
LIGHT INFESTATION: 80 insects per 40 sq. ft. of canopy with two weekly introductions into infested areas.

HEAVY INFESTATION: 160 wasps per 40 sq. ft. of canopy with two weekly introductions into infested areas.

Sprinkle contents onto infested plant leaves or into Hanging Release Boxes and hang on affected plant. Do not place contents directly onto soil or substrate. Ensure the product contents remain dry. Leave in place for 3-5 days to allow all insects to be released.

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.

 

HANGING RELEASE BOXES:
Use NaturesGoodGuys Hanging Release Boxes to release your predators without making a mess! Release boxes help you concentrate predators on infested areas and help to keep your product dry.

Pesticides and even wetting agents and spreader-stickers may adversely affect A. abdominalis survival. Broad spectrum and systemic insecticides are toxic to these wasps.

 

TARGET PESTS

Scientific Name: Aphelinus abdominalis

Foxglove Aphids, Potato Aphids, Black Bean Aphids, Brown Citrus Aphids, Cotton Aphids, Green Apple Aphids, Green Peach Aphids, Greenhouse Aphids, Melon Aphids, Pea Aphids, Rose Aphids, & various other aphid species.

 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

LIVE DELIVERY GUARANTEED

Long lifespan and longer egg laying period.

While Aphelinus abdominalis targets a variety of aphid pests, they are particularly effective against foxglove and potato aphids. It may be used at higher rates in conjunction with other beneficial insects, such as Aphidius colemani and Aphidius ervi, to bring moderate infestations under control. These parasitoids are known to live longer and lay eggs over a longer period than other parasitoids. They also eat aphids rather than just parasitizing them, making them a valuable addition to any pest management program. Females have a black thorax and yellow abdomen and can measure up to 3mm in length. Males are smaller and darker in color. A female can lay up to 250 eggs in a 3-week cycle. After 3-5 days the eggs hatch into larvae that will feed on the internal contents of the aphid for about 5-10 days. After completing development, the larvae pupate, and a new generation of adults emerge from the aphid mummies continuing the reproductive cycle for sustainable aphid management. The first mummies should be seen in your crops in a minimum of 14 days after  the first release.

CROPS

CROPS
Vegetable Crops
Soft Fruit Crops
Hemp
Ornamental Crops
Tree Nurseries

USAGES
Greenhouses
Indoor Facilities
Field Crops
Gardens

INTRODUCTION RATES

1 insect per 10 sq. ft., weekly, 2-3 times
Temperature Range: 50-86°F

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 on it's side, in place for 24 hours to allow any remaining insects to be introduced.

Do not place product directly onto soil or substrate. Ensure the product contents remain dry and are not moved from the introduction site for a few days.

PRO TIPS
  • HANGING BOXES
    Use NaturesGoodGuys Hanging Boxes to introduce your predators without making a mess! Hanging boxes help you concentrate predators on infested areas and help to keep your product dry.

  • Remove any yellow sticky traps for the first few days after introduction.

  • Mummies can be observed on leaves of the crop 10-14 days after the first application.

  • Aphelinus abdominalis produces black mummies, where others such as Aphidius colemani and Aphidius ervi produce golden/brown mummies.
  • A perfectly round hole at the back of the mummy indicates that an adult parasitoid has emerged.

  • 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.