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 to bring moderate infestations under control.
A female can lay up to 250 eggs in a 3 week cycle. The female wasp will lay an egg directly into the aphid body where it hatches and the larvae will consume the aphid’s body 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 wasp. The adult wasp emerges through a jagged edged 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.
TARGET PESTS:
Over 200 species of aphids, specifically the potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) and the glasshouse potato aphid (Aulacorthum solani).
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.
RELEASE RATES: Release parasitic wasps onto infested plants by opening the bottle and placing it at the base of the affected plant. Best results are obtained by making low rate preventative releases when there is a risk of aphids invading the crop. If larger outbreaks of aphids are found, larger release rates should be made immediately.
Curative light release: 80 wasps per 40 sq. ft. of canopy with two weekly introductions into infested areas.
Curative heavy release: 160 wasps per 40 sq. ft. of canopy with two weekly introductions into infested areas.
STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS: Proper identification of the aphid species is important. Monitoring the crop closely and early releases will help in overcoming the pest. Pesticides and even wetting agents and spreader-stickers may adversely affect A. abdominalis survival. Broad spectrum and systemic insecticides are toxic to these wasps.
