Combat aphids the natural way

Koppert has developed AphiScout, a mix of 5 parasitic wasp species targeting the most commonly occurring aphids.

Aphids come in many varieties. To combat them Koppert developed AphiScout, a mix of 5 parasitic wasp species targeting the most commonly occurring aphids.

Horticulture

Read More: IPM Irish Horticulture Pest Control Plants

9 May 2018

Aphids are a major problem in horticulture. Through their enormous reproductive capability aphids can cause severe damage to crops, and unfortunately, resistance to pesticides is increasing.

To combat the aphids and help growers naturally control their plants Koppert developed AphiScout, a mix of 5 parasitic wasp species targeting the most commonly occurring aphids.

Parasitic wasps help reduce the insect pest populations, thereby helping growers to improve their produce.

Scouts

AphiScout Tube

AphiScout is a mix of the parasitic wasps Praon volucre, Aphidius colemani, Aphidius ervi, Aphelinus abdominalis, and Ephedrus cerasicola. Each species has its own preferences and together they deal with the most commonly occurring types of aphid.

This makes AphiScout the ideal form of basic protection against aphids. The parasitic aphids also provide information on which parasitic wasp can best be released for a large-scale offensive. “It’s like sending out scouts for a reconnaissance mission first,” said product manager Tim Bossinga.

Unique packaging

AphiScout is supplied in a cylinder containing 250 mummies. Thanks to the felt NectarPad containing sugar water inside the container, the parasitic wasps can go into battle full of energy.

The packaging features a simple hanging system, whereby the sticky outer layer of the label can be used to fix the container around a wire or a plant stem, for example.

Valuable solution

Praon

Bossinga expects this new product to prove a valuable solution for soft fruit growers at the start of the aphid season: “Rule one of crop protection is: scouting, scouting, scouting. However, aphid populations develop so quickly that by the time you detect them it is often too late to gain control over the infestation by biological means. With AphiScout in the vanguard, you stay one step ahead of the problem.”

Order from PG Horticulture by noon on Thursday for delivery the following Tuesday or Wednesday, or by noon on Monday for delivery by Thursday or Friday that week.

Read More: IPM Irish Horticulture Pest Control Plants