[Jacqui]

If you think you’re developing an aphid problem then this special offer from Bioforce may interest you:

EARLY BIRD GIVEAWAY FOR NOVEMBER!

OUR NOVEMBER FAVOURITE – Bio Force

Take the hassle out of pest control by employing your own army of beneficial insects to resolve your aphid problems. Perfect for both indoor settings and outdoors during the warmer months of the year, this pack combines eggs of the predatory Dusky Ladybird Scymnus loewii with the 100% safe parasitoid wasp Aphidius colemani. Use for the control of green peach aphids (Myzus persicae), melon aphid (Aphis gossypii) and many other aphid species. Includes 100 ladybird eggs and 100 Aphidius mummies, enough to treat most aphid issues.

Visit http://www.bioforce.net.nz to find out more.

The first 12 orders over $60 (excluding handling) placed online during the month of NOVEMBE* will receive a BIOFORCE VALUE PACK with two biological control agents for the control of aphids. Due to the very delicate nature of this giveaway, it will be dispatched under special conditions which will be advised to all giveaway winners.

[Richard Rowe]

I have had a lot of sucess teacking kids to brush aphids off with a pant brush. With my large scale plantings I cut the parts of the plant off with the aphids and compost bin it. I also fully support bio controls such as those mentioned in this this thread.

[Jacqui]

Excellent video showing Aphidius colemani at work.

[Caryl]

Has anyone tried using the BIOFORCE VALUE PACK or Seaweed Foliar Concentrate for aphid control recently? I purchased the Value Pack earlier today and it is already with the courier. Daily squashing and hosing is having an effect but is taking me a lot of time.

Also this product – Ocean Organics Seaweed Foliar Concentrate
described as a marvellous foliar for fungus, virus & aphid control and safe to spray when plants are under attack. I also note this: product is used as a preventative not a curative. Is this effective for controlling aphids?

If I am to get some of these swan plants through the winter the aphids have to go. I may have some happy ladybirds tomorrow!
Caryl (Wellington)

[Jacqui]

Great suggestions about aphids here:

https://monarchbutterflygarden.net/control-aphids-milkweed-plants/

[Butternut]

Hi Carl -there must be something wrong with them if even the aphids are giving them a wide berth.

I just got an email back from Mike at Bio force re: dusky ladybirds.

He writes
“Yes there is always the possibility that the ladybirds will feed on the eggs of the butterflies. It is a small ladybird, and unlikely to attack prey a lot bigger than it. The parasitic wasp Aphidius is 100% safe to your butterflies, and is known to parasitise yellow oleander aphids, which commonly infest milkweed. It may be able to help you with your aphid problem.”

[carlwatson]

I have hundreds of swan plants, many are nice and clean and healthy, but no caterpillars on them, whilst I have a lot of sad looking plants, infested with aphids, (which I deal with digitally, wearing a disposable latex glove), BUT those plants also have lots of caterpillars on too, WHY? why are the crabby looking aphid infested plants the ones which are being “laid” on? whilst the lush healthy plants are ignored ?

[Jacqui]

Yes, aphids are known to eat monarch eggs but I don’t think they do if they have other options, e.g. aphids. Does that help? 🙂

[Butternut]

Jacqui – I thought about getting some dusky ladybirds but read that once they have eaten the aphids they may eat caterpillar eggs. Do you know if this includes Monarch eggs?

[Jacqui]

I have been speaking with Nicholas Martin, entomologist who is an aphid specialist. He has provided us with some photographs of the two ladybirds which are the best foes of Aphis nerii, the Oleander aphid.

He reminded me that if we are using digital control, e.g. squishing aphids, then we are also in danger of removing the ladybirds which we can easily overlook. And he also mentioned the mummified aphids which are rather inflated and dark, that have been parasitised by Aphidius colemanii. To me these mummified aphids remind me of mines that you’d see in the sea in WWII films.

http://www.freshplaza.it/images/2013/0717/mummie1.jpg

Photos here of the ladybirds:

https://www.monarch.org.nz/2015/10/28/yellow-shouldered-ladybird/

https://www.monarch.org.nz/2015/10/28/variable-ladybird/

[Jacqui]

Here’s some more ideas:

http://www.wikihow.com/Control-Aphids

[Jacqui]

I think I understand what you’re saying, Jarad – and it’s a good point. If we remove the aphids, then we might be removing aphids that have been parasitised by the wasp, Aphidius colemani. I have always been of the impression that the aphids that look like the mines that floated around the ocean in WWII have been parasitised – and you don’t want to remove them.

(picture here of the parasitised aphids).
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2443/3674120881_d405cf1ca5_z.jpg?zz=1

Also, make sure you remove any ants around the plant, as they will work with the aphids to destroy yoru plant.

Ladybird larvae eat the aphids as well as the adults. Here’s a picture of the four stages of a ladybird.

http://www.greatlittleminds.com/pages/science_and_nature/ladybird-life-cycle.html

[Jarad]

Hi

Is there any alternative way of easily knowing if a battle has arisen between ladybug pupa and aphids or if a battle has started is there a way to know early who is winning? I know there has been a bit of ladybug interest in my slightly infested milk weed having seen one on the plant, but now I’m scared to take up arms with my paint brush in fear of not being able to recognise if the eggs and/or bugs I attack are friend or foe!

Thanks
Jarad

[AngieB]

Thanks Jacqui, that is very helpful 🙂

[Jacqui]

Hi Angie – aphids have been discussed often in here so look around the forum – click on the hot tag to the right here.

The orange aphids are Oleander aphids or Aphis nerii. When I asked Bioforce about these packs a few years ago, they said that they’d be a big help IF the aphids were not too common. You get a few aphids, and then just a few days later it seems your plants are covered with aphids. They breed at an alarming rate. I have introduced Aphidius colemani into my butterfly house in the past but haven’t SEEN any visible results. That doesn’t mean it isn’t working, of course… as the wasps must be very small indeed. But Bioforce told me that if you have lots of aphids the control probably won’t work as it’s already taken hold of your plants.

This latest infestation I trimmed all the shoots that were covered with aphids and the trimmings went straight into a plastic bag which was tied and into the rubbish. I then looked out for ladybirds and brought them home to my garden and also fed and watered the plants well. I am not aphid free, but the plants seem to be in control.

Hope that is helpful.

Jacqui

[AngieB]

Hi Jacqui

I have been looking at the Bioforce site & there is an Aphid Pack available with details as follows –

“Beneficial ladybird eggs and parasitoid wasp for the control of aphids. Use for the control of (Myzus persicae), melon aphid (Aphis gossypii) and many other aphid species.”

So many big words I don’t quite understand 🙁 I live in Christchurch & am having major problems with the wee orange aphids on my plants. I have orange fingers from squashing them & have caterpillars on the plants still so don’t want to spray them. Can you advise me if this Aphid pack will work in my Monarch enclosure or is it the wrong thing for these particular aphids. I don’t want to introduce another problem into my enclosure.

Thanks Angie B 🙂

[Author]

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