Beneficial Insect Profiles: Parasites (parasitoids)

Aphidoletes aphidimyza

Product: Predatory Midge of Aphids

Net Contents: See container

Common Name: Aphidoletes

Family: Cecidomyiidae

Genus: Aphidoletes

Species: aphidimyza

Origin: Western Canada

Host pest: Aphids, many species including green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) and cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii).

Host Plant: pepper, cucumber, tomato, melon and many other vegetables, fruit and ornamental trees.

Life Stages Shipped: Pupae in carrier; adults will emerge within 7 days at 72 F.

Sex ratio: Approximately 1 Female to 1 Male.

Development: After mating, a female can lay up to 250 eggs over a 10 day period. Eggs are laid among aphids hatching in 2-3 days to larvae which feed for 3-5 days and then drop to the ground to pupate. Adults emerge from pupae after 10-14 days.

Environment: Temperature range 60-85 F, RH 50-75%. These predators work best in greenhouses or crops with soil or plant material on the floor for pupation and may also be used on outdoor plantings and trees. Diapause occurs under short day conditions (less than 8 hours of daylight) but can be prevented in greenhouses by low intensity supplementary light.

Pesticides: Some pesticides are toxic to this predator for long periods of time (detailed list available). Spot applications of insecticidal soaps are safe.

Storage: Perishable, apply to crop as soon as possible. May be held for a few days if necessary at 40 F but the percentage of emergence and egg laying ability will decrease with cold storage time.

Augmentation: Release rates vary with plant type and size but should be made at the first sign of aphid damage and repeated weekly for 24 weeks or until predators establish. Peppers 1-2 midges/plant. Tomatoes-1 midge/6 plants. Roses-3-5 midges/plant. Trees- 5-10 midges/tree.

Return To Previous Page