Aphelinus
Aphelinus abdominalis
Overview
Aphelinus abdominalis (Aphelinus) is a parasitoid wasp which attacks more than 200 species of aphids.
Aphelinus can be used in all crops to help control aphids. While primarily used in commercial greenhouses, it can also be effective in field crops.
Suitable crops include vegetables (capsicum, eggplant), ornamentals (gerbera, chrysanthemum, rose), nurseries, cannabis and herbs.
Pests Aphelinus can help you control
You can use Aphelinus to assist parasitism and control larger aphids species such as Foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani), Potato Aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae), and Green Peach Aphid (Myzus species). It is also a significant predator of unparasitized aphid nymphs.
Aphelinus works best when you use it preventatively or when you first notice aphids in your crop. It is not a strong flyer so you need to release them near aphid colonies to assist establishment.
If you have several aphid species present or you are not sure which aphid species is attacking your crop, release Aphelinus in conjunction with Aphidius colemani, Aphidius ervi and Diaeretiella rapae. Biological Services supplies these wasps as a mixture.
How Aphelinus controls pests among crops
The Aphelinus female lays eggs singly into mid-age nymphal stages of target aphids. The egg hatches after 2 or 3 days and the wasp larva feeds on the aphid without immediately killing it. At 20°C, it pupates after 7 days and transforms the aphid into a distinctive black 'mummy'. These first appear 2 to 3 weeks after you introduce Aphelinus. The adult wasp then chews a rough exit hole to emerge 8 days later.
Aphelinus has a relatively long adult life and oviposition period of several weeks where it can lay 5 to 10 eggs a day. Aphelinus withstands high temperatures better than Aphidius wasps.
Certain pesticides and fungicides affect this product so contact your local Biological Services Consultant for specific advice.
How you can order Aphelinus
You can order Aphelinus from Biological Services in vials containing 1,000 mummified aphids/vial and in the Aphid Parasite Mix.
Get tailored advice for your commercial crop
To speak with one of our qualified consultants about your current commercial crop challenge or to learn about the benefits of the IPM maintenance and monitoring services we provide, contact us.
Sign up to our mailing list
Subscribe to hear about new products, industry updates and company news.