Beneficial organisms
Choose beneficial insects.
Which beneficial insect (predator) for which pest?A description of the pests and the suitable beneficial insects (predators) is available on our dedicated wiki page.
10 to 30°C = temperature range favorable for the establishment of beneficial insects (predators).Between March and October (depending on your geographical location), you can order and install integrated pest management. The outdoor temperature must be between 10 and 30°C to promote the establishment and growth of beneficial insects (predators).
1. Micro-wasps (against aphids)
Using parasitoid micro-wasps is effective in integrated pest management against aphids and for crop protection. Aphiscout combines several complementary Aphidius species against all aphid species. These endoparasitic beneficial insects (predators) act on aphids by laying their eggs directly inside the pest's body. By feeding on their contents, they turn aphids into brownish mummies.
Technical information: Integrated pest management with Aphiscout
- Packaging : Bottle of 250 individuals (Aphidius colemani, Aphidius ervi, Aphelinus abdominalis, Praon volucre, Ephedrus cerasicola)
- Dose : 1 bottle covers around 30 m² (1 bottle for a City or a Family)
- Temperature conditions : 15°C to 30°C.
- When should it be used? : use preventively or as soon as the first signs of infestation appear. Set it up from spring to autumn as soon as outdoor temperatures are favorable.
- Product effectiveness : the micro-wasps develop and establish themselves in the greenhouse as long as there are enough aphids to feed on. One bottle can be effective for up to 6 weeks. Renew if needed.
- Storage : set up upon receipt, otherwise store for 1 to 2 days maximum at 8°C in the dark
Each female parasitoid lays about a hundred eggs that can attack up to 300 aphids. The eggs are laid during the first four days after emergence. Then, the first adult specimens emerge from the mummies around two weeks after introduction.
Aphidius micro-wasp laying its eggs inside an aphid, and the aphid mummy emptied of its contents.
Instructions for use
- Remove the label from the bottle and fold it back on itself, hanging it on the support of your choice: a wooden stake.
- Install the bottle in the middle of your crops in a shaded spot.
- Tilt the bottle slightly to a horizontal position.
- Turn the cap and align it with the small holes to release the beneficial insects (predators).
- The individuals emerge up to 2 weeks after installation.
- This solution has no impact on human, animal or environmental health.
2. Predatory mites (against mites)
The predatory mite Phytoseulus persimilis pierces the body of the pest mite to feed on its contents. It is effective against all stages of the spider mite (red spider mite) (egg, larva, nymph and adult).
At 25°C, predatory mites develop 2 times faster than the pest, which allows very rapid population management.
Technical information: Integrated pest management with Phytoseulus persimilis
- Dose : 2 000 individuals per bottle ; 1 bottle covers the greenhouse (Family/City)
- Temperature conditions : air temperature range of 10°C to 30°C. Optimal at 16°C.
- When should it be used? : set up as soon as the first symptoms appear on the affected plants.
- Product effectiveness : one application of integrated pest management controls pest mites.
Warning: in the absence of mites, the populations of beneficial insects (predators) (predatory mites) decrease sharply in the greenhouse; they leave their habitat for other mite colonies. They will need to be reintroduced if new spider mite outbreaks appear.
Photo of the application of the beneficial insect (predator) Phytoseulus persimilis on an eggplant plant in bioponics.
Instructions for use
- Gently shake the bottle.
- Place a few pinches from the bottle onto the plant's leaves, aiming for flat surfaces.
- The predatory mites will become active and move to attack their prey (mites). They allow rapid pest management for better yields from the attacked crops.
- The beneficial insects (predators) have a short lifespan; they must be introduced into the greenhouse upon receipt. They can be stored for 1 to 2 days maximum, at the expense of product quality.
- This solution has no impact on human, animal or environmental health.