Leaf Miner Parasitic Wasp - Dacnusa sibirica

What Are Leaf Miners & How Do I Identify Them?

There are many different species of Leaf Miner, some of which are harmful to plants. The Leaf Miners are capable of disfiguring ornamental plants and damaging vegetable and salad plants such as tomatoes. As the Leaf Miners damage more leaves of such vegetables, there can be a great loss of yield. 

What Are Dacnusa Sibirica Wasps & How Can They Help?

Dacnusa sibirica are tiny parasitic wasps that lays their eggs inside the Leaf Miner larvae even when the pests are located within their leaf mines. 

The female Dacnusa sibirica will paralyse the Leaf Miner larvae, tending to primarily parasitise the older larvae, and proceed to lay its eggs inside the paralysed Leaf Miner larvae. A newly hatched wasp will then emerge from inside the parasitised Leaf Miner larvae and eat its way out of the corpse. Once the developed parasitic wasp is fully grown it will emerge from a round hole in the leaf. 

What Conditions Do The Sibirica Require?

The Dacnusa sibirica are active in temperatures between 16-20℃ and will cease to be active in low light conditions.

Where Should I Apply The Sibirica?

Dacnusa sibirica are only effective if introduced indoors and in environments such as glasshouses, greenhouses or protected growing environments.

When Should I Apply The Sibirica?

The Dacnusa sibirica should be introduced as soon as Leaf Miner infections have been observed on plants.

How Do I Apply The Sibirica?

Pour the contents of the vial at the base of plants, on dry material. The wasps will emerge within a few days, fly up from below, and seek out the Leaf Miners. 

Full instructions will be provided on delivery.

How Many Sibirica Wasps Do I Need?

The Dacnusa sibirica are suppled in vials of 500. One vial will treat an average small glasshouse.

Chemical Pesticides

Dacnusa sibirica 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 Dacnusa sibirica and other parasites for much longer periods. Refrain from using these products or check with Dragonfli for information on the effect of these products on our predators.