Tip Top Bio-Control – Hydroponic Grower's Supply

Eretmocerus Californicus and Eretmocerus SP. - (Parasite)

 

Temperature range
75° Fahrenheit. Eretmocerus SP: 75°– 100° Fahrenheit.

Adult
Small wasp with golden yellow thorax.

Eggs
E. californicus lays eggs inside whitefly scale. Sp. lays under whitefly nymphs. (Sp. is specific to silverleaf, sweet potato and poinsettia whitefly.)

Larva
Hatch inside whitefly host.

Pupa
Inside whitefly scale turning it to a golden color over a 2 week period.

Feeds On
Whitefly scale (larva). Best for sweet potato whitefly. Sp. penetrates and consumes whitefly larva.

Shipped
Shaker bottles - pupa and adults.

Release Rates
4 – 6 per 1 sq. ft. or 2 – 3 per plant at 1 to 2 week intervals until 80% – 90% of the scales are parasitized. Sp. for Tomatoes: 10 per 100 sq. ft. every week for prevention. At first sign: 10 – 15 per 100 sq. ft. every week until under control.

Note: Sp. Is especially good for tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and eggplant. Not good for Greenhouse Whiteflies!

Release Points for Eretmocerus
Hint: Whiteflies are difficult to control if allowed to build up before introducing Beneficials. Hang yellow sticky traps to monitor. Introduce Encarsia formosa when whiteflies are expected or first seen on yellow sticky traps. Predators work well together with parasites.