Aphilin Parasitic Wasp

Scientific name: Aphelinus abdominalis.

Aphelinus abdominalis is a parasitoid wasp used as a biocontrol agent of several aphid species that are pests of agricultural crops.
Being parasitoids, these wasps lay their eggs on or in the bodies of other arthropods, sooner or later causing the death of the hosts.
Many parasitoid wasps are considered beneficial insects and are commercially applied to naturally control agricultural pests because different parasitic wasp species specialize in hosts from different insect orders, most often Lepidoptera, though some select beetles, flies or bugs while others exclusively attack spiders.
Parasitoid wasp species also differ in which host life stage they attack: eggs, larvae, pupae or adults. They mainly follow one of two major strategies within parasitism: either they are endoparasitic; developing inside the host and koinobiont; allowing the host to continue to feed, develop and moult or they are ectoparasitic; developing outside the host and idiobiont; paralysing the host immediately.

Use for:

• Especially effective for the potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) and glasshouse potato aphid (Aulacorthum solani).
• Also affects the peach potato aphid (Myzus persicae).
• Other aphid species.

Mode of action:

Adult parasitic wasps emerge from the mummies and females lay their eggs into aphids. The next generation of parasitic wasps develops inside the aphid, which converts into a leathery mummy. The adult parasitic wasp emerges through a hole at the rear of the mummy. The first mummies are noticed in the crop around 2 weeks after the first introduction. Host feeding also takes place. Visually, successful control results in parasitized aphids turning into a black elongated mummy.

Product specifications:

Application:

• Release mummies near infested plants, because Aphelinus abdominalis is not very mobile.
• Spread material on rock wool slabs or in application boxes.
• Make sure the material remains dry and at its introduction site for a few days.

Dosage:

The dosage of Aphilin depends on climate, crop and aphid density and should always be adjusted to the particular situation. Start introduction preventively soon after planting of the crop in infestation prone areas. Introduction rates typically range from 0.25 to 4 per m²/release. Releases should be repeated a number of times.

Environmental conditions:

• Effective between 15°C and 35°C / 59°F and 95°F.
• Does better than the Aphidius species at high temperatures above 28°C / 82°F.
  
• Can be used in combination with other aphid biocontrol agents.

Storage:

• Apply as soon as possible after receipt. If necessary, the product can be stored for 1 to 2 days.
• Store at temperatures of 8°C to 10°C / 47°F to 50°F.
• Store in the dark.

Caution:

• Pesticides can have direct or indirect effects on biological solutions.
• Only use products that are permitted in your country or state and crop.