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Aphid is a name for a large group of insects, many of which can cause serious damage to plants. They extract sap from plants causing a reduction in plant growth, reduced yields, and sometimes defoliation. Aphids can also secrete toxic substances into the plants. The Aphids take proteins from the sap and then excrete the excess sugar left in the sap back onto plants. This causes a sticky mess on the leaves, which black molds often grow on.
Aphids are soft bodied and often shed white skins onto leaves. Adult Aphids can be green, yellow, pink, black, grey or brown.
This Aphid Killer contains the Gall Midge; Aphidoletes aphidimyza, which can be introduced for the biological control of Aphid colonies as the aphidimyza adults are attracted to feed on Aphid honeydew. Aphidoletes aphidimyza are supplied in a sachet, which contain aphidimyza pupae, these hatch into adults and emerge from the sachet as adults.
The female aphidimyza will then lay between 60-250 eggs amongst the Aphid colonies. The eggs quickly hatch into orange coloured larvae, which will proceed to paralyse the Aphids and suck out their body contents! The aphidimyza feed on all species of Aphids and a wide variety of Greenfly and Blackfly species.
Aphidimyza midges should be used from March to September. It can be used in the later months if extra artificial lighting is available.
Aphidimyza midges are only effective when Aphid colonies are present, so ensure to introduce them when Aphids or Greenfly have been clearly identified on your plants.
The Aphidoletes aphidimyza are best suited to use indoors.
To apply your aphidimyza, place the sachet next to the plant you wish to treat, or wedge it amongst the foliage. Please do not scatter the aphidimyza. The Aphidimyza will hatch inside the sachet and then exit the sachet to search for Aphids on the plant or surrounding plants.
The aphidimyza require an environment with relatively high humidity. These midges are active at night, so it is desirable if night temperatures are above 12℃ are maintained for optimal conditions.
The Aphidoletes aphidimyza will treat an area up to 25m2, or a small group of plants. Each sachet contains 200 aphidimyza pupae. Repeat applications may be required for heavy infestations of Aphids.
Aphidoletes aphidimyza is a living creature and can be affected by any chemical pesticides used within the previous few weeks. As a general guide, refrain from using Natural Pyrethrum or SB Plant Invigorator 2 days prior to use. Other chemical insecticides can have long lasting residues that could harm aphidimyza and other predators for much longer periods. Refrain from using these products or check with Dragonfli for information on the effect of these products on our predators.
