Product Information Sheet

Aphid Parasite Aphelinus ahdominalis

Product: is a parasitic wasp which is about 3 mm (l/8") long and has relatively short legs and short antennae. The female has a black thorax and yellow abdomen whereas the male has a darker abdomen and is somewhat smaller. Aphelinus does not often fly.

Target: Larger species such as the aphid ( euphorbiae) and glasshouse potato aphid (Aulacorthum solani). The female Aphelinus walks along the leaf rapidly, groping for . When she fmds an aphid she scans it with her antennae, turns around, raises her wing tips and injects her ovipositor into the aphid. Oviposition takes 20 to 60 seconds. Aphelinus can parasitize any aphid stage. The Aphelinus larva develops in the aphid and at 20°C (68°F) will pupate after 7 days. The larva spins a cocoon inside the aphid causing it to stiffen thus transforming the aphid into a black mummy. After 8 days, the adult parasitic wasp emerges through a hole with a jagged edge at the rear of the mummy. Following emergence the female doesn't start to lay eggs at full speed until the 3rd or 4thday. From then on she parasitizes 5 to 10 aphids per day for about 8 weeks. The female Aphelinus also feeds on aphids by puncturing a few holes in the aphid with her ovipositor and then turning around to suck out the contents of her prey. She can also feed on aphid species she does not parasitize and eats honeydew as well.

Release: The parasitic wasps should be released into the greenhouse at the first sign of aphids. Within 1 week the first mummies are visible. Release weekly until 80-90% of the aphids are parasitized (darkened). Release onto infested plants at dusk as close to the infestation as possible (as Aphelinus is not very mobile) by tapping softly on the opened tube.

Rate: Release in and around beginning hot spots at 0.5-2/m2 (1.5-6110ff2). For heavier infestations release 41m2 (12/10ft2) or 800-6000 per 1I2ha (I acre) into infested areas. The advantage is that a large number of offspring are produced by each female (up to 1000) and they have a long life.

Temp: 20°C (68°F). Store at 8-IO°C (46.4-50 OF)until release at dusk on day of receipt.

PLEASE LET NIC KNOW WITHIN 24 HOURS UPON RECEIPT IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS WITH YOUR LIVE ORDER.

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