Ervi
Aphidius ervi
Overview
Aphidius ervi (Ervi) is a parasitic wasp that specialises in parasitising aphids in a range of crops.
Ervi are black and about 4-5mm long. They look very similar to Aphidius colemani but are darker and usually slightly larger. Adult wasps resemble small winged ants but their antennae are long and slender.
Crops that may benefit from Ervi include capsicums, eggplants, roses and other flowers, a range of ornamentals, cannabis, and some field crops such as lucerne, pulses and potatoes.
Ervi is primarily used in greenhouse production but can also be used in outdoor crops to establish parasitoids earlier than would naturally occur.
Pests Ervi can help you control
You can use Aphidius ervi to control a number of larger aphid species such as Foxglove/Glasshouse Potato Aphid (Aulacorthum solani), Potato Aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae), Pea Aphids (Acrythosiphum pisum), Cannabis Aphids (Phorodon cannabis), and Rose Aphids (Macrosiphum rosae) that are not parasitised by Aphidius colemani.
Ervi works best when you use them preventatively or when you first notice aphids in your crop. They are very good at dispersing and finding low populations of aphids.
If you have several aphid species or you are not sure which aphid species are present, you can release Ervi in conjunction with Aphidius colemani, Aphelinus abdominalis and Diaeretiella rapae in our Aphid Parasite Mix. This will cover many species of aphid pests.
How Ervi controls pests among crops
The female Ervi deposits an egg into the aphid in a matter of seconds. When the wasp egg hatches, the Ervi larva begins feeding on the aphid, eventually killing it. The parasitoid pupates within the aphid body and this stage is called a "mummy". The mummy looks like an over-inflated bronze aphid. The adult Ervi then chews a hole through the back of the mummy and emerges as an active wasp ready to deposit eggs into more live aphids.
Each Ervi female can parasitize over 300 aphids in her lifetime which can last 2 to 3 weeks when food and water are available. Prolonged temperatures above 30°C or below 8°C may reduce Ervi efficacy.
Certain pesticides and fungicides affect Ervi so contact your local Biological Services consultant for specific advice.
How you can order Ervi
You can order Aphidius ervi from Biological Services in vials containing 250 aphid mummies/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.
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