How to Control Whiteflies With the Parasitic Wasp Encarsia Formosa
Whiteflies are tiny insects that resemble moths. They suck sap from plants like tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers and flowers and they can be a serious agricultural pest, particularly in greenhouses. Whiteflies die outside in winter but in greenhouses they just multiply in overlapping generations. The most effective way to control greenhouse whiteflies is with a parasitic wasp called Encarsia formosa. The wasps were discovered in 1924 and they both lay eggs in and eat whiteflies. Starter colonies of Encarsia formosa can be ordered from insectiaries. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Order cards containing Encarsia formosa pupae from an insectary as soon as your greenhouse plants begin to sprout. There are several methods for introducing these wasps into the greenhouse. The "dribble" method introduces the wasp before the greenhouse becomes infested with whiteflies.
-
2
Separate the cards that contain Encarsia formosa pupae at the perforations when they arrive in the mail and hang the cards throughout the greenhouse. Do not touch the black dots, which are the wasp pupae, when you open or hang the cards.
-
-
3
Hang the cards so they will be out of direct sunlight and away from misters and sprayers. The wasps should hatch within 20 days and start hunting for whiteflies.
-
4
Introduce additional Encarsia formosa if you begin to see whiteflies or whitefly damage after 20 days.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
