While remaining the backbone of aphid control programme , parasitic wasps such as Aphidius - System lean to be highly specific – ineffective to parasitize all aphid metal money . In contrast , our two hoverflies , Eupeodes - System and Sphaerophoria - System , feed on the full range of all commonly find oneself aphids .
These two hoverflies are wolfish Renaissance man aphid predators . inviolable fliers , the adult female distribute quickly through the craw , searching out aphid colonies to lay their eggs , often essay out pest outbreaks before being scouted in the crop .
Eupeodes corollae and Sphaerophoria rueppellii adults are long - lived , with each female adequate to of lay hundreds of egg . Over its lifetime , a unmarried Eupeodes larva can consume 500 - 1000 aphid , while a Sphaerophoria larva can guttle up to 200 aphids in just nine days .
In a category of their own , Eupeodes - System and Sphaerophoria - System unambiguously provide twofold ecosystem services , as these pollen and ambrosia - feed adult hoverflies can also contribute to craw pollination .
When to employ
stale tolerant Eupeodes - SystemMost hoverfly mintage have an optimal temperature range within 20 - 35 ° C . However , Eupeodes prefers somewhat nerveless conditions rest dynamic down to 10 ° C , while its optimum range is 15 - 25 ° speed of light . This makes the Eupeodes - System nonpareil to kick - start aphid control programs in spring crops as well as for remainder - of - season command in fall .
Sphaerophoria - System for gamey temperaturesAs the time of year progress , glasshouse temperature can soar up . Sufficient day is significant for Sphaerophoria - System , and at higher temperatures , it performs better than Eupeodes - System . With a high optimal range of 25 - 35 ° C , Sphaerophoria - System tolerates temperature up to 40 ° C , get it ideal for command programme mid - summer .
Compatible and complementaryEupeodes - System and Sphaerophoria - System are becoming worthful tools helping to provide a sustainable solution to aphid dominance in a range of crop worldwide .
complement each other temperature - wise , Eupeodes - System is fit to lower temperatures while Sphaerophoria - System thrives in mellow temperatures . Meanwhile , a mix of the two hoverfly intersection is idealistic for when temperature are variable , i.e. , cool in the dawning and warm by midday .
In add-on , these two hoverflies are also extremely compatible and complemental to existing commercial-grade biological result for aphid control condition .
