Aphidius ervi

Exterior

Aphidius ervi – is a parasitoid wasp. Adults are tiny wasps, about 3mm long. They have dark wings and gold and black bodies. Adults are identified by the veins on their wings.

Life span

Aphidius ervi life cycle takes 10 days at 25°C or 14 days at 21°C. The sex ratio is approximately the same, although there may be slightly more females than males (50-60% of females). The female lays an egg in the aphid, which hatches within 2-3 days.

Mummies

After depositing eggs into the pest body the Ervi larva appears and begins feeding on the aphid. After 7 days it forms a cocoon. The aphid becomes light bronze and turns into a mummy.

Adult appearance Aphidius ervi.

After 4 days the adult Aphidius ervi leaves the mummy out of a hole through the back. Each Aphidius female can parasitize over 300 to 400 aphids in its lifetime but deposits about 100 eggs. The adult’s life cycle is 2 – 3 weeks.

Release

There are some strategies of Aphidius ervi applying. A. ervi works best when used preventatively, or when aphids are first noticed in a crop.

The preventive strategy is based on the planned release and required for pest control during the beginning flying period. The material must be scattered all over the area in places protected against direct sunlight.

The local strategy means release in local outbreaks. In the conditions of intensively developing aphid colonies, it is necessary to place Aphidius ervi from 1 to 3 individuals (depending on the infestation level) to achieve pest control.

Recommended standards for Aphidius ervi applying

Conditions and duration of storage

• store away from direct sunlight;
• transport and keep at 6-10 °C/ 43-50 °F;
• use within 18 hours after receiving.

Package

• 25 ml-vial contains enough cleared mummies to produce 250 adults.