|
Aphidius
colemani is a small wasp.
It belongs in the family
Braconidae. It
is about the size of a gnat (2-3 mm long) and cannot sting humans.
They can be found naturally occurring or can be release in greenhouses to
gain control of certain aphid species. Their ideal temperature range in
50-77 degrees F and a relative humidity of 70-80%. It is used to control
green peach and melon aphids.
These wasps work by finding colonies of aphids and the
female wasp curls up her abdomen and stabs an aphid. When she does
this she lays a single egg inside the body of the aphid. Each
female can lay over 100 eggs.
The wasp larva feeds on the
aphid and eventually spinning a cocoon, still inside the aphids body.
Once the wasp has matured it will emerge out the back of the aphid body,
which has swollen to look like a hard brown shell
Application rates for commercial greenhouse
production:
For preventive releases apply 0.5 parasites per yard
weekly for 3 consecutive weeks, If aphids are already there, rate
would be 2 wasp per square yard per week for 3 weeks.
For homeowner:
These wasps are naturally occurring so
providing a habitat for them will encourage them to stay and
parasitize aphids. |
