Description
Aphidoletes are an even “better” aphid predator that serve as a great follow-up to ladybugs when dealing with aphids. Aphidoletes are predator midges of aphids, and are sold in the pupal stage, in a tray containing vermiculite. Pupae are tough enough to withstand the rigors of shipping.
Unlike ladybugs, they can’t be released right away, but must be held at room temperature for a few days, until the adults begin to emerge and fly around within the plastic container. This maturation process can take up to one week. Once you see the adult midges flying around, the following evening they can be released at aphid hotspots. They are “aphid generalists”, and are known to feed on over sixty different species of soft-bodied aphids. Aphidoletes are known to be incredible searchers, and will can even find individual aphids within the crop. They are better at reducing aphid populations in most circumstances, one reason being that they are more focused on aphids while ladybugs have a broader pest palette.
If you’re dealing with aphids on boulevard trees lining the street and causing honeydew to drop onto parked vehicles, Aphidoletes and ladybugs are your solution. We offer a specific product, the Aphidoletes hanging vial, to help deal with that problem. All you would have to do is hang one vial per tree, or every other tree if trees are adjacent, and the Aphidoletes will emerge from a hole in the lid of the vial once they’ve reached the adult stage, ready to find aphids. Ladybugs can also be released as well as hanging up Aphidoletes vials, for as mentioned earlier, they’ll get to work right away while you wait for the Aphidoletes to mature.
250 tray suited for areas up to 2,000-5,000 square feet
1,000 tray suited for areas up to 5,000-20,000 sq. feet
