Français

Aphidoletes aphidimyza

Identification

Aphidoletes aphidimyza, the aphid Predatory Midge is a voracious native predators of over 60 species of aphids. Adults are small and delicate midges (2-3 mm). They are difficult to see as they are most active in the evening. Eggs are orange and oval. They are less than 0,3 mm. Larvae has orange, legless maggots, up to 3 mm long. They feed by biting aphids and paralyzing them with a toxin before sucking out the aphid body fluids. They kill 3-50 aphids per day.

Aphidoletes aphidimyza are used to control aphids indoors in commercial greenhouses and interior plantscapes as well as outdoors in orchards, shade trees, roses and home gardens.

Aphid predatory Midge responds to cool temperature and shortening day lengths (less than 12-14 hrs) by entering diapause (like a hibernation state), there in most greenhouse they are only active from March to September unless supplemental lighting is used.

Aphidoletes aphidimyza is produced in Canada by Applied-Bionomics.

Greenhouse vegetables (tomato, cucumber, hot pepper, sweet pepper, letuce, etc)
Outdoor vegetable crops in fields, under the net and under tarp (celery, cruciferous, letuce, poivron, hot peppers, potato, etc.)
Orchard
Ornemental Plants
Berries (strawberry, raspberry, grapevine, etc.)
Trees and shrubs (rosebush, ppple tree, viburnum, etc.)
Hop
Cannabis

Aphids
Whiteflies

A life cycle lasts about 24 days at 21 °C (70 °F)
Optimal conditions are a temperature of 21-25ºC and humidity of 70%.
The sex ratio is generally 60% female.
The females lay their eggs on the leaves near aphid colonies.
Each female lays 150-200 eggs during her life (1-2 weeks). The eggs hatch in 2-3 days.
A larva can consume 3-50 aphids per day.
The larval stage lasts between 7 to 10 days.
Pupation occurs on the ground (in soil, sand, organic matter, etc.) and adults emerge after 2-3 weeks.
Aphidoletes needs a minimum of 12 to 14 hours light.
They are most active from March to September, unless supplementary artificial lighting is used.
In hydroponic production or concrete, add potting trays.