Beneficial Garden Insects
Aphid
Parasites Aphidius marticariae
The
newest control to North America is aphid parasites which kill aphids by piercing
their
eggs inside live aphids, which then develp
into larvae.
Before
finishing
development it spins a coccoon inside the aphid, turning into a leathery "mummy";
an adult parasite then flies out. Supllied near hatching or as adults (no
choice). For prevention once small releases get established, repeat regularly
through
the season.
| $29.99 for 100 | |
| $37.99 for 250 | |
| $79.99 for 1000 |
Aphid
Predators Aphidoletes aphidimyza
Long-term
control is sometimes better with aphid predators, larvae that devour aphid
colonies and breed from there. 250 are enough to cover a
small greenhouse,
1,000 covers a larger greenhouse and commercial greenhouses use 3,000 to 4,000
per acre. Repeat weekly all season until controlled.
| $71.99 for 500 | |
| $104.99 for 1000 |
Green
Lacewings Chrysopa rufilabris
Green Lacewings are another "walking garbage disposal" of the insect
world. These "general purpose" eaters will eat almost anything they
can fit into their mouths. Within 3-4 weeks larvae hatch into adults that eat
only pollen and nectar; reapply more larvae before then for continuous control.
Use 4,000 eggs for back yard or 5,000-50,000 per acre, depending upon infestation.
Repeat every 2 weeks throughout pest season.
Price per 1000 quantity in units of 1000
| 1000 | $28.99 per 1000 | $28.99 | |
| 4000 | $10.99 per 1000 | $43.96 | |
| 50000 | $8.85 per 1000 | $442.50 |
Green
Lacewing Larvae Chrysopa rufilabris
Instead of having
to wait for eggs to hatch, these arrive ready to go for work immediately. Studies
show Green Lacewing Larvae to be more
effective
because they are pre-fed so they won't cannabilize on each other after
hatching. Many gardeners rave at the success rate of Green Lacewing Larvae.
| $46.99 for 750-1000 |
Ladybugs Hippodamia convergens
Ladybugs are
the classic aphid eaters and are known for sometimes dramatically fast
cures. They're economical and can be stored in the refrigerator, making
them the first choice in aphid control. Ladybugs eat over 5,0000 aphids or
other soft bodied pests in their life time (About 12 months)
| $7.95 for 1500 | |
| $29.99 for 4500 | |
| $43.99 for 18000 | |
| $99.99 for 72000 |
Pirate
Bugs Orius insidiosis
Pirate Bugs eat aphids and spiter mites occasionally but are best suited
for thrips control.
| $46.99 for 100 | |
| $112.99 for 500 | |
| $179.99 for 1000 |
Predatory Nematodes Steinmatid/Heterorhabitis
If an insect spends part of it's life cycle in the soil (lots of them do),
Predator Nematodes want to eat them, attacking and killing 250 different
insects, including
fleas and fungus gnats. They treat up to 3,000 sq. ft. of growing area (24
million per acre). They come on a small piece of "sponge" that
gets rinsed into a watering can, then watered, sprayed injected, or siphon
fed into the soil.
They live in any moist soil medium, including rockwool, as long as they have
insects to feed on. Keep soil temperature about 50 Degrees.
Price per million quantity in units of one million.
| 1 million | $15.95 for 1 million | $15.95 | |
| 6 million | $15.19 per million |
$91.14 | |
| 24 million or more | $13.99 for per million | $335.76 |
Mealy Bug Destroyers Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
Mealybug
Destroyers are the best control for adult and juvenile mealy bugs. Tiny
1/8" mealybug
destroyers are one of the oldest and most successful biological controls.
| $36.95 for 25 |
Spider Mite Predators Phytoseiulus persimilis
Recommended environment for spider mite predators |
||
| Species | Temperature | Humidity |
| PP-Phytoseiulus persimilis | 55 F - 105 F | 60-90% |
| NC-Neoseiulus | 55 F - 90 F | 60-90% |
| ML-Mesoseiulus Longipes | 55 F - 105 F | 45-90% |
Price per 100 quantity in units of 100/1000
| Phytoseiulus persimilis 100 qty. | $37.99 per 100 | $37.99 | |
| Phytoseiulus persimilis 500 qty. | $23.99 per 100 | $119.95 | |
| Neoseiulus 1000 qty. | $50.99 per 1000 | $50.99 | |
| Mesoseiulus Longipes 5000 qty. | $48.99 per 1000 | $244.95 | |
| Mesoseiulus Longipes 10000 qty. | $45.99 per 1000 | $459.90 | |
| Mesoseiulus Longipes 100000 qty. | $33.99 per 1000 | $3399.00 |
Spider Mite Destroyers Stethours puctillum
Use Spider Mite Destroyers in addition to Spider Mite Predators (above)
when spider-mite populations are especially high. These tiny beetles
eat all stages
of spider-mites and find new infestation sites by flying. Each destroyer
eats more than 40 mites per day, living 4-5 weeks. Life cycle takes 18
Days at 70
degrees. 100 Spider Mite Destroyers gets them started.
| $89.50 for 50 | |
| $129.50 for 100 |
Thrips Predator
Mites Amblyseius cucumeris
Thrips predator mites are effective against all species of thrips under
high humidity (70-85% growing conditions.) Reports are poor with lower
humidity. Use
100-500 per plant, reapply as needed.
| $29.99 for 5000 | |
| $42.99 for 10000 | |
| $75.99 for 50000 |
Whitefly Parasites Encarsia Formosa
Whitefly parasites lay their eggs inside that of the developing whitefly
pupa so their babies will hatch instead of the whitefly. Parasites come
ready to hatch,
glued to small cards which are hung from plant foliage; use one for every square
foot of greenhouse space, repeat 3 to 4 times at 2 week intervals for fastest
results. Works best when temperatures are at least 68 degrees (add day and
night temperatures, divide by 2.) Cooler temperatures require more frequent
releases.
Use for Sweet Potato Fly or Silverleaf Whitefly: See Also Whitefly Predators
and Green Lacewings.
Price per 1000 quantity in units of 1000
| 500 | $59.98 per 1000 | $29.99 | |
| 1000 | $39.99 per 1000 | $39.99 | |
| 5000 | $26.59 per 1000 | $132.95 | |
| 10000 | $21.29 per 1000 | $212.90 | |
| 20000 | $17.64 per 1000 | $352.80 |
Whitefly Predators Delphastus pusillus
Whitefly Predators
eat at least 150 whitefly eggs a day, sometimes more than 600! At least
one predator per 55-50 sq. ft. Make 2-3 releases
at 10-14 day intervals.
They'll breed from there. Gives control in about one month. Use with Whitefly
Parasites. Best at 65 - 90 Degrees.
| $62.99 for 100 |
Praying
Mantis "Egg" Tenodera
sinensis
Praying
Mantis make great garden pets and constantly entertain while they eat insects
all summer long. "Eggs" store in the refrigerator
until ready for hatching, which takes 2-8 weeks of warm weather. Available
from Jan 1 to mid-July only, they should be used by August 15 for proper
hatch. Each "egg" hatches 100-200 mantids.
| $6.95 for 100-200 mantids |
