Tip Top Bio-Control Technical Bulletin

Aphidius matricariae
Parasitic wasp

Target Pest:
Most Aphids. Green peach aphid myzus persicae, greenhouse potato aphid Aulacorthum solani, Pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, Potato aphid Macrosiphum euporbiae.

Description:
A parasitic wasp that attacks several species of aphids. Used mostly in greenhouses producing vegetables and ornamentals. Adult wasps are black. Adult females lay eggs from their abdomen by quickly curling their abdomen and puncturing an aphid simultaneously with its ovipositor. The egg once inside the aphid will hatch into a larva and consumes the aphid. The larvae when fully grown will cut a slit in the carcass and attaches itself to a fixed object. The larvae then pupates (spins a cocoon) inside the dead aphid. The mummified aphid swells into a characteristic round, golden brown mummy. The emerging adult will cut a symmetrical hole at the rear end to escape from the mummified aphid.
After injecting the aphid with an egg it takes about a week for the mummy to form and then another week for the adult to appear. Each female can lay more than 100 eggs, but may attack 200-300 aphids in the process.

Product information:
Aphidius matricariac are shipped in container 250 adults each. Also containers of 1,000 mummified pupa are available.

Release Rates:
Release wasps as soon as possible between plants in the morning or evening in mild/cool temperatures and low light levels.
Before aphids are detected 400 per acre. 2 releases 1 week apart.
After aphids are detected 2,000 per acre 2-3 times 1 week apart.

Lifespan:
Egg to adult about 2 weeks, adults live for about 14 days

Strategic Considerations:
Apply this parasite before a colony of aphids are large. Be proactive not reactive.