Aphidoline aphid monitoring agent
Aphidoline biological monitoring agent contains the predatory midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza. This midge lays its eggs in aphid colonies, where the predatory larvae feed on the aphid prey. Aphidoletes aphidimyza larvae are known to feed on more than 60 different aphid species.
Benefits of Aphidoline :
- ✅User-friendly: Easy to introduce and observe in crops.
- ✅Locating: Excellent ability to find aphid colonies.
- ✅Flexible: Can be used in response to observed aphid presence in the crop.
Main uses
Aphids
How it works
Aphidoletes adults are attracted to and feed on aphid honeydew, but only their larvae are predatory. Females lay eggs within aphid colonies. Eggs hatch in about 2 days at 23 °C / 73 °F, and larvae develop fully within approximately 6 days. At higher temperatures, larval development is shorter (about 3 days), while at lower temperatures it can take up to 9 days. Larvae bite aphid legs, injecting a substance that immobilizes the aphid before feeding. In dense colonies, larvae may impact more aphids than they consume, helping maintain activity even when aphid numbers fluctuate. Aphidoletes may enter diapause at low light levels (mid-October to mid-March). The optimal temperature range is 20–27 °C / 68–81 °F, and they tolerate a broad humidity range (20–80%).
