Episyrphus-System Technical Sheet

Episyrphus-System Technical sheet

Beneficial organism

Family Species Common name Syrphidae Episyrphus balteatus (Geer, 1776) Marmalade hoverfly

Prey

The larvae of Episyrphus balteatus feed on different kinds of aphids. The adults are natural flower pollinators.

Product

Specifications

Product name Quantity Package Carrier Episyrphus-System 25 pupae 30 ml plastic tube -

Storage

Release the beneficials immediately after arrival. If needed, store in a dark place, for max. 1 to 2 days after reception, till expiry date, at 8 °C (46 °F) to 10 °C (50 °F).

Characteristics of Episyrphus balteatus

Biology

Appearance: larva • Whitish and semi-translucent • Flattened with no legs

Appearance: adult • Relatively small (approximately 10mm) • Red eyes • An orange parallel-sided abdomen with narrow black bands

Mode of action

Hot spot treatment with prolonged effect. In hot spots the Episyrphus larva is as good a predator as Adalia, but Episyrphus is to be used less curatively. This is due to the fact that Episyrphus is delivered in its pupal stage and not as a grazing larva like Adalia. The adult hoverfly will emerge from the pupa and will deposit its eggs in aphid hot spots. Once the larvae are present, they will start grazing in places with a high density of aphids.

The big advantages of Episyrphus are its mobility and capacity to detect new hot spots much faster than Adalia. It is worthwhile having inoculative releases of Episyrphus early in the season to have a preventive control agent in your crop when high densities of aphids appear. Adult Episyrphus feed on nectar and pollen, so the availability of flowering crops and nectar has a positive influence on its activity.

This preventive agent can if necessary be supplemented by Adalia or Chrysopa.

Application

Dosage

Full-field: 0.005 ind./m²

Hot spot: 2 to 3 ind./m²

Release method

Introduce the pupae as soon as possible, but bear in mind that Episyrphus cannot be used without the presence of banker plants or aphids in the crop.

Because of its voracity, Episyrphus should be introduced in the center and around the first aphid hot spots. Good monitoring and early introductions are very important.

Apply Episyrphus in 1 or more releases: 2 to 3 Episyrphus/m² in hot spots, so minimum 0.005/m² per total greenhouse surface to be effective.