A 500 ml bottle contains 1000 pupae (cocoons) of Aphidoletes aphidimyza in vermiculite. 4 x Blister Packs each contain 250 pupae (cocoons). The emerging midges mate and lay eggs near aphid colonies. The larvae hatch and feed on the colonies of all types of aphids.
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Aphid Predator
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Adults are attracted to and feed on aphid honeydew. Females lay from 60-250 eggs amongst aphid colonies. Eggs hatch within 2 days at 23°C and larvae feed for 6 days before falling to the ground and pupating in a cocoon. Hatching occurs 3-14 days later depending on temperature. Larvae bite the aphids’ legs, injecting a paralyzing toxin. They paralyze >35 aphids but will consume only a few before reaching maturity, thus immobilizing the colony to allow easy feeding.
Release between March and September to avoid pupal diapause unless lighting is available. Make weekly repeated releases to maintain control levels.
Blister: Keep at room temperature until first adults are seen. Place the blister packs into areas where aphids have established in the crop. The tab on the back of the pack should be opened once the first emerged adults are seen in the blister.
Bottle: Use at the rate of 10 pupae per m2 around aphid colonies for curative use. Use at 5/sqm for more widespread infestations. Either put mixture into small pots containing moist, but not wet, peat or vermiculite and distribute them in the greenhouse or tip the contents of the bottle to form small piles on the surface of moist rockwool or capillary matting in the crop. Keep humid but not wet. Establishment will be reduced by plastic mulches.
Transport and store at 6-8°C. Keep out of direct sunlight. Use within 18 hours of receipt
Syngenta Bioline Ltd
Telstar Nursery, Holland Road
Little Clacton, Essex CO16 9QG, England
Tel +44 (0) 1255 863 200
Fax +44 (0) 1255 863 206
