Biological Solutions

Delphastus catalinae is considered an effective biological control agent for whiteflies because of its high prey consumption rates, long adult survival, and high reproduction rates. Delphastus catalinae has received research attention in Florida and other states for its value as a predator of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), which is an economically important pest of ornamental and agricultural crops.

Mix biological control agent mix contains the hymenopterous parasites, Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus. It controls the younger larvae of greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, and silverleaf/sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, by host feeding and the older larva by parasitism reproduction.

Encarsia formosa is used for whitefly control in greenhouses on tomatoes, strawberries and in floricultural and nursery plants. 3,000 EF 36.25, 7,500 EF $75.00, 15,000 EF $127.75

Eretmocerus eremicus is a tiny parasitic wasp (~1 mm in length) that attacks whiteflies and many species of Aphids. Greenhouse whitefly, Sweet potato whitefly, Silverleaf whitefly, Poinsettia whitefly, woolly whitefly, Citrus whitefly and bayberry whitefly. But unlike E. formosa, which lay their eggs in the 2nd through 4th immature whitefly stages, Eretmocerus eremicus females lay their eggs underneath those same stages, with a preference for the 2nd instar stage. The wasps’ larvae which hatch from the eggs begin to enter the host and thus slowly weaken and kill the developing whiteflies from the outside-in.

There are 3 species of mixed predatory fly parasites in your order: Spalangia cameroni, Muscidifurax zaraptor and Muscidifurax raptorellus. Fly parasites search fly-breeding areas for fly pupae containing developing flies. Once inside, the eggs hatch inside the fly pupa and feed on the developing fly and after two to three weeks of feeding, an adult fly parasite emerges to repeat the cycle. Each female fly parasite can kill approximately 100 immature flies in her lifetime.

Three species of predatory fly parasites mixed in your order: Spalangia cameroni, Muscidifurax zaraptor and Muscidifurax raptorellus.
Fly parasites are an effective natural enemy of flies. Frequent releases of fly parasites can drastically reduce common housefly and stable fly populations. Fly parasites search fly-breeding areas for fly pupae containing developing flies. Once a fly parasite finds a pupa, it drills a hole through the casing and inserts several eggs through the hole.
Once inside, the eggs hatch inside the fly pupa and feed on the developing fly and after two to three weeks of feeding, an adult fly parasite emerges to repeat the cycle. Each female fly parasite can kill approximately 100 immature flies in her lifetime.