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APHID PARASITES FACT SHEET & Release Instructions(Aphidius matricariae)
Aphid parasites are very effective at searching out scattered
populations of aphids, attacking more than 40 different species of
aphids. Aphid parasites by themselves don't normally provide total
aphid control, but they're very useful for controlling aphids that other
aphid-eating insects can't find. Another advantage of aphid parasites
is that once they're established in a greenhouse (or indoors on
Aphid parasites work by laying one of their eggs inside each aphid, and
the resulting larvae then consumes the entire body contents. The
parasite then spins a cocoon inside the dead aphid, and pupates. The
dead, parasitized aphid swells and stiffens into a leathery, brown,
mummy-like wrapping. These are referred to as aphid "mummies", and are
a sure sign the parasites are working. You can tell when the adult
Aphid species controlled by parasites include peach potato aphid, green peach aphid, and other aphid species typically found on peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, ornamentals and other plants grown indoors or in the greenhouse.
As a preventative treatment, aphid parasites can be used at the rate of
1-2 per square yard of greenhouse space, applied every other week.
Preventive releases would be started about the same time of year as
aphids typically start showing up in your greenhouse. For existing
infestations, use 3 parasites per square yard weekly for at least 3
weeks to get them established. (One release may be adequate for home
use.) Another release formula used is 500-2000 parasites per acre of
planted material. Parasites arrive as adults, and are ready to be
released immediately. Release parasites anywhere near the infested
areas, as they fly and spread themselves out from there. For parasite
release in larger areas, walk down the aisles or rows, letting the
parasites escape from the shipping vials as you walk. The best time to
Aphid parasites are not affected by short day lengths, so they're especially useful during the short days of fall, winter, and spring. (Other aphid controls tend to not be as effective during these periods.) Parasites may not be as effective during later spring and summer, because aphids reproduce very quickly during this time (too fast to be controlled well), and because "hyperparasites" (parasites that attack parasites) are more active during this period. Parasites are attracted to the color yellow, so yellow sticky traps (used for control of certain other insects such as whiteflies) should not be used with aphid parasites. Order NOW Aphid Parasites (Aphidius matricariae)
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houseplants), they usually keep reproducing for the entire season with
no further releases. This makes aphid parasites a very valuable
addition to other, more common aphid controls.
parasite hatches out because it will chew a small round hole in the
mummy as it escapes (see drawing). Over her lifetime a single female
typically attacks 200-300 aphids. The entire life cycle takes about 3
weeks.
release parasites is early in the aphid season, so you'll get the most
benefit from them. Releases are most effective from September to
March. Parasites are effective searchers and work well on small, well
dispersed populations of aphids.