The population growth of aphids can be sometimes very fast, leading to great damage in several crops. It is therefore very important to locate the aphids and take necessary measures. Biobest offers a whole series of parasitoids and predators against aphids.

• Introduce Aphidius ervi/Aphelinus abdominalis when glasshouse potato aphids (Aulacorthum solani) or potato aphids (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) are spotted.
• Introduce 2 Aphidius ervi/Aphelinus abdominalis/m² in and around "hot spots".

• Introduce Aphidius ervi/Aphelinus abdominalis when glasshouse potato aphids (Aulacorthum solani) or potato aphids (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) are spotted.
• Introduce 2 Aphidius ervi/Aphelinus abdominalis/m² in and around "hot spots".

• Introduce Aphidius colemani when green peach aphids (Myzus persicae) and/or cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii) are spotted.
• The number of Aphidius colemani to be introduced depends on the number of aphids present. Please contact your technical advisor in this respect.

• Introduce 0,5-1 Aphidoletes/m² per week as soon as aphids are spotted.
• In and around "hot spots" of aphids: 5-10 Aphidoletes/m².
• Introduce Aphidoletes aphidimyza on a moist substrate.

A population of spider mites can grow very rapidly, especially under dry and warm conditions. Fast action is recommended to keep the spider mite densities as low as possible.

• In combination with Phytoseiulus against red spider mites.
• Feltiella acarisuga has an excellent ability to search for "hot spots".
• Introduce locally (in "hot spots") one pot (250 pupae) per week for 4-6 weeks.

• This special strain is bred for application on tomato plants.
• Introduce at least 20-50 Phytoseiulus/m² in and around "hot spots" when spider mites are spotted.

The greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) is a typical greenhouse pest that affects many crops.

The application method of PreFeRal® WG depends on the crop and the number of whiteflies present.

• Spraying:
  PreFeRal® WG should be applied with conventional spraying equipment. PreFeRal® WG works as a contact insecticide. In order to obtain an efficient insect control, the undersides of the leaves should be properly covered. It is recommendable to use sufficient quantities of water. The volume of water needed depends on crop development. Usually, selection of high spray volume will provide the best results. It is recommended to apply 2.000 - 3.000 l/ha on full-grown and 1.000 l/ha on small or young crops.
  The optimal pH of the water should be between pH 4 and pH 7.
• Integrated Pest Management Programme:
  PreFeRal® WG can be used in combination with beneficials such as Encarsia formosa, Eretmocerus californicus or Macrolophus caliginosus. This makes PreFeRal® WG an outstanding correction agent when biological control needs some extra help with whitefly control. This is called "Integrated Pest Management" (IPM).
• Integrated Resistence Management Programme:
  PreFeRal® WG can be applied in combination with selective whitefly insecticides as a part of an Integrated Resistence Management Programme (IRM).

The application method of PreFeRal® WG depends on the crop and the number of whiteflies present.

• Spraying:
  PreFeRal® WG should be applied with conventional spraying equipment. PreFeRal® WG works as a contact insecticide. In order to obtain an efficient insect control, the undersides of the leaves should be properly covered. It is recommendable to use sufficient quantities of water. The volume of water needed depends on crop development. Usually, selection of high spray volume will provide the best results. It is recommended to apply 2.000 - 3.000 l/ha on full-grown and 1.000 l/ha on small or young crops.
  The optimal pH of the water should be between pH 4 and pH 7.
• Integrated Pest Management Programme:
  PreFeRal® WG can be used in combination with beneficials such as Encarsia formosa, Eretmocerus californicus or Macrolophus caliginosus. This makes PreFeRal® WG an outstanding correction agent when biological control needs some extra help with whitefly control. This is called "Integrated Pest Management" (IPM).
• Integrated Resistence Management Programme:
  PreFeRal® WG can be applied in combination with selective whitefly insecticides as a part of an Integrated Resistence Management Programme (IRM).

• Available as sprinkling material or on cards.
• Hang up yellow sticky cards for detection of the first whiteflies (25-50/ha).
• When no whiteflies are spotted:
  • preventive treatment: 1-2 Encarsia formosa/m² every 2 weeks.
  • when whiteflies are spotted: 2-4 Encarsia formosa/m² per week for at least 4 weeks or until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
• Curative treatment:
  2-4 Encarsia/m² per week for 6-7 weeks until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
• Hang up yellow sticky cards in "hot spots": 10 traps/100 m² for trapping the whiteflies.
• Correction:
  introduce more Encarsia formosa, treat with Applaud (slows Encarsia down).
• Important:
  • the frequent use of Euparene is mortal for Encarsia formosa
  • treat locally, or treat only the top of the plants.

• Available as sprinkling material or on cards.
• Hang up yellow sticky cards for detection of the first whiteflies (25-50/ha).
• When no whiteflies are spotted:
  • preventive treatment: 1-2 Encarsia formosa/m² every 2 weeks.
  • when whiteflies are spotted: 2-4 Encarsia formosa/m² per week for at least 4 weeks or until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
• Curative treatment:
  2-4 Encarsia/m² per week for 6-7 weeks until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
• Hang up yellow sticky cards in "hot spots": 10 traps/100 m² for trapping the whiteflies.
• Correction:
  introduce more Encarsia formosa, treat with Applaud (slows Encarsia down).
• Important:
  • the frequent use of Euparene is mortal for Encarsia formosa
  • treat locally, or treat only the top of the plants.

• Only in combination with Encarsia formosa.
• Works better against Bemisia than Encarsia.
• From the middle of March-April: introduce 1 Eretmocerus eremicus/m² per week during at least 3 weeks.

• Only in combination with Encarsia formosa.
• Introduce 0,5 Macrolophus/m² per week for at least 2-4 weeks when whiteflies are spotted.
• When necessary 5-10 Macrolophus/m² in "hot spots"..
• Important: Macrolophus develops slowly, so introduce early!

Leafminers cause a lot of visual damage in different crops because the larvae eat mines in the leaves. Especially in ornamental plant cultivation crops a little infestation can cause already a lot of damage because then the product is not saleable anymore.

• Hang up yellow sticky cards for detection of the first leafminers: 25-50/ha.
• Samples of the leaves should be tested regularly to determine the percentage of parasitized leafminers. Please contact your technical advisor in this respect.
• After detection of the first mines:
• introduce 0,25 Dacnusa/Diglyphus (90%-10%) per m² per week until a sufficient number of leafminers are parasitized. The exact strategy depends on the circumstances in the greenhouse.
• In case the number of leafminers increases, or from March 1st onwards, introduce 0,1 Diglyphus/m² per week for 3 weeks, or until a sufficient number of leafminers is parasitized.
• Correction: Trigard
• Remark: Both Dacnusa sibirica and Diglyphus isaea are very efficient against Liriomyza bryoniae (tomato leafminer), Liriomyza trifolii (American serpentine leafminer) and Liriomyza huidobrensis (South American leafminer).

• Hang up yellow sticky cards for detection of the first leafminers: 25-50/ha.
• Samples of the leaves should be tested regularly to determine the percentage of parasitized leafminers. Please contact your technical advisor in this respect.
• After detection of the first mines:
  introduce 0,25 Dacnusa/Diglyphus (90%-10%) per m² per week until a sufficient number of leafminers are parasitized. The exact strategy depends on the circumstances in the greenhouse.
• In case the number of leafminers increases, or from March 1st onwards, introduce 0,1 Diglyphus/m² per week for 3 weeks, or until a sufficient number of leafminers is parasitized.
• Correction: Trigard
• Remark: Both Dacnusa sibirica and Diglyphus isaea are very efficient against Liriomyza bryoniae (tomato leafminer), Liriomyza trifolii (American serpentine leafminer) and Liriomyza huidobrensis (South American leafminer).

Voracious on several crops
Caterpillar damage usually occurs in late summer and early autumn, but recently some caterpillars have been causing problems throughout the growing season. There are several biological control methods of caterpillar control.

• Hang up pheromone traps; at least 2 traps per species per ha.
• At intervals of at least 50 m to avoid mixing of pheromones.
• Replace the pheromone capsules in time (every 4 weeks).

Tuta absoluta is a small leafminer belonging to Gelechiidae family (Order: Lepidoptera).
It causes economic damage, especially in tomato, with potential harvest losses up to 50-100% in untreated crops.
The Tuta larva pierces into leaves, stems and fruits. Also, secondary infections can occur at damaged sites.
This leafminer is also found in other ‘nightshade’ crops.
Tuta is native to South America. Since 2006 this species is also found in the Mediterranean, and recently in Western Europe.
 

• With Tuta absoluta pheromone
• For monitoring: 2 to 3 traps/ha
• Check the traps once a week
• Replace the pheromone lures every 4-6 weeks

• Use Macrolophus in countries where Nesidiocoris is not allowed.
• Mainly used for whitefly control
• Has a significant predation on Tuta absoluta eggs and young larvae
• Introduce a total of 0.5 - 2 Macrolophus/m², over 2 -4 releases with a 1-2 week interval
• Use of Nutrimac (Ephestia eggs) to quicken the population development
• Macrolophus develops slowly, early introduction is recommended
• Warning: Macrolophus can cause crop damage (more info see technical sheet)

• With Tuta absoluta pheromone
• For monitoring: 1-2 traps/ha
• For mass-trapping: 15-45 traps/ha, depending on the pest pressure;
• Place the water traps in the middle of the rows at a height of 20 cm.
• Replace the pheromone lures every 4-6 weeks
• (for more instructions, see technical sheet)
   

• Mainly used for whitefly control
• Has a significant predation on Tuta absoluta eggs and young larvae
• Introduce a total of 0.5 - 2 Nesidiocoris/m², over 2-4 releases with a 1-2 week interval
• Use of Nutrimac (Ephestia eggs) to quicken the population development
•  Nesidiocoris develops slowly, early introduction is recommended
• Warning: Nesidiocoris can cause crop damage (for more info see technical sheet)