Aphiscout Parasitic Wasp Mix

Scientific names: Aphidius colemani, Aphidius ervi, Aphelinus abdominalis, Praon volucre, Ephedrus cerasicola.

Parasitic wasps belong to numerous different superfamilies within the order hymenoptera. Aphiscout is a mixture of several parasitoid wasp species used as a preventative, organic biocontrol of a wide range 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:

• Effective against most commonly occurring aphids.
  

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 in the mummy. The first mummies are noticed in the crop around 2 weeks after the first introduction.

Further biological control:

Visually, successful control results in parasitized aphids turning into mummies which look slightly different depending on the parasitic wasp species.
The colour and shape of the mummy gives an indication of which parasitic wasp species can be used for further control.

Product specifications:

Application:

• Peel off the outer layer of the label starting at the upper right corner.
• Hang the cylinder horizontally from a crop wire, branch or leaf stalk by winding the label around it and sticking the end of the label back onto the label.
• Turn the lid until the small holes align with the opening.

Dosage:

The dosage of Aphiscout depends on climate, crop and aphid density and species. Dosage should always be adjusted to the particular situation. Start introduction preventively soon after planting of the crop in known infestation prone areas. Introduction rates typically range from 0.75 to 1.5 parasitic wasps per m². This is equivalent to one Aphiscout unit every 250 to 350 m². The parasitic wasps will emerge within 2 weeks. Releases should be repeated when aphids are still present. If the aphid species present is known it might be better to switch to an appropriate single species product.

Environmental conditions:

• Effective at temperatures between 16°C and 30°C / 61°F and 86°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.