Green Team

Aphid Control:
Most crops can be infested with aphids. Damage is caused in three ways: sucking plant sap when feeding, excretion of honeydew leading to sooty mould and some species can transmit plant viruses.
Biological control with parasites, predators and fungal pathogens are available depending on crop and environmental conditions.
There are a large number of aphid species and identification can be important when parasitic wasps are to be used.
Depending on the species there can be alternate plant hosts. Winged forms develop under conditions of high density or to migrate to alternate hosts.
Resistance to some insecticides is a serious issue with some species.
Aphid Aphid
Aphid. Aphid colony - young and mature and discarded moult-skin.
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Parasitic Wasps: Aphiline c (Aphidius colemani), Aphiline e (Aphidius ervi), Apheline ab (Aphelinus abdominalis), Apheline ACE mix (Aphidius colemani, Aphidius ervi, Aphelinus abdominalis) and Apheline CE mix (Aphidius colemani, Aphidius ervi)
Parisitised Aphid
'Mummified' aphid - parasitised
by Aphidius spp.
(Photo Holt Studios).
Aphidius egg laying
Aphidius egg laying into aphid.
(Photo Holt Studios).
Aphelinus
Aphelinus egg laying into aphid.
(Photo Holt Studios).
TYPE: A range of parasitic wasps are available as individual species or in mixtures.
ACE Mix contains Aphelinus abdominalis, Aphidius colemani and Aphidius ervi,
CE mix contains Aphidius colemani and Aphidius ervi.,
The mixtures reduce the need for accurate pest species identification. Both mixtures are ideal for botanic gardens, conservatories, nurseries producing a mixed cropping range and plant retail outlets.
HOW IT WORKS: The adult wasp inserts its egg into the aphid, a parasite larva develops killing the aphid, producing a characteristic golden-brown papery 'mummy' with Aphidius species, and black 'mummy' with Aphelinus species. An adult parasitic wasp later emerges through a round hole on the mummified aphid. The adult wasps also feed on aphids, killing one or more each day.
SPECIES CONTROLLED:
Aphidius colemani is particularly effective against round bodied aphid species such as Myzus persicae (peach-potato aphid) and Aphis gossypii (melon cotton aphid). It is not effective against Macrosiphum species. It can control large populations of aphids, but will take time to achieve this and may leave many parasitised 'mummy' bodies on plants.
Aphidius ervi is specifically for the larger eliptical shaped species including Macrosiphum euphorbiae (potato aphid) and Aulacorthum solani (glasshouse potato aphid). Several other aphid species such as the pea aphid are also parasitised.
Aphelinus abdominalis controls a wide range of aphid species including Macrosiphum euphorbiae (potato aphid) and Aulacorthum solani (glasshouse potato aphid). It is not suitable for high infestations, especially of Myzus persicae (peach potato aphid) and Aphis gossypii (melon cotton aphid) when Aphidius colemani should be used.
WHEN TO USE:
Aphidius colemani: Early season as a preventative.
Aphidius ervi: At the very first sign of aphids.
Aphelinus abdominalis: Introduce at first sign of aphid attack as it has a longer life cycle than other aphid parasites.
RATE OF USE:
Aphidius colemani: 1 wasp/mummy per 2 m2 per week. Increase to 5 per m2 for 3 weeks if small aphid colonies are present.
Aphidius ervi: 1 wasp/mummy per 2 m2 per week. Increase as above if necessary.
Aphelinus abdominalis: 1 wasp/mummy per 2 m2 every two weeks until parasite establishment or aphids threat is reduced.
ACE Mix or CE Mix: 1 wasp per m2.
Fargro can advise on the best species or mixture to use.
Fargro Code: Pack Size:
FGAPKAphidius colemani, vial of 500.
FGAPLAphidius colemani, vial of 1000.
FGAPNAphidius colemani bottle of 5000.
FGAPOAphidius ervi, 250.
FGAPAAphelinus abdominalis adults / mummies, vial of 250.
FGAPCACE mix (Mixture of (Aphelinus abdominalis, Aphidius colemani and A. ervi), vial of 500.
FGAPDCE mix (Mixture of Aphidius colemani and A. ervi), vial of 500.
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Aphidoline a (Aphidoletes aphidimyza)
Aphidoletes
 
Aphidoletes larvae feeding in aphid colony.
(Photo Holt Studios).
TYPE: A small, orange predatory larva, the adult is a nocturnal midge fly.
HOW IT WORKS: Introduced as cocoons from which adults emerge. The blister packs enable monitoring and mating of adults on release. Adults lay eggs next to aphid colonies located by the scent of honeydew, larvae develop as tiny orange maggots that feed on aphids. One larva can survive on 5 large aphids but will kill up to 35 more.
SPECIES CONTROLLED: Larvae feed on over 60 aphid species, including those common in field and protected crops within the UK.
WHEN TO USE: Between March and September for re-cycling generations, however they can be used all year round if supplementary lighting is available.
RATE OF USE: Normally 1 cocoon per m2 per week, for local hotspots increase the rate up to 10 per m2.
Fargro Code: Pack Size:
FGAPJ Bottle of 1000.
FGAPR Blister pack, 4 X 250.
Blister Pack
  Aphidoletes blister / release pack.
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Chrysoline c (Chrysoperla carnea)
Chrysoperla
 
Chrysoperla larvae feeding on aphid.
(Photo Holt Studios).
TYPE: Young larvae of predatory lacewing.
HOW IT WORKS: An extremely active predator with large pincers used to attack, hold and suck the juices from the pest body.
SPECIES CONTROLLED: Effective at controlling established aphid populations. Also feed on whitefly eggs and scales, thrip larvae, moth eggs, young mealybug nymphs and other small insects.
WHEN TO USE: Use on established populations of aphids or other pest colonies, ideal for organic crops.
RATE OF USE: 10 larvae per 1 m2 repeat after 2-3 weeks.
Fargro Code: Pack Size:
FGWIM Tube buckwheat carrier, 500.
FGWIN Tube buckwheat carrier, 1000.
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Specifications may differ from those listed here and change without notice.
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