Aphids are insects that cause major problems in horticulture. All types of aphids on plants occur throughout the year and cause fading of the young shoots in a crop. Royal Brinkman offers a wide range of biological aphid control products in professional greenhouse horticulture.

The most common aphid species in greenhouse crops are the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii, the buttercup aphid Aulacorthum solani, the potato aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae and the green peach aphid Myzus persicae. All aphid species need a different biological control. Some aphids transfer toxic substances to plants, causing an allergic reaction of the plant. Aphids can also transmit some viruses. Controlling aphids is very important to prevent damage. 

Biological control of aphids can be accomplished with several types of aphidicides. Each natural enemy has its own specialty. Some aphidicides are specific to one species of aphid. By using a combination of different aphidicides, you create an efficient approach to the pest. The following natural enemies are used to control aphids:

• Parasitic wasps: There are many different species of parasitic wasps, but the most commonly used are Aphidius colemani (APHIcontrol) and Aphidius ervi (ERVIcontrol).
• Gall midge: The gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (APHIDOcontrol) is a gall midge that is widely used for aphid control. 
• Lacewings: The lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (CHRYSOcontrol) is a good choice for high pressure control of all aphid species because the larvae are very voracious. 
• Hoverflies: The green larva of the hoverfly Sphaerophoria rueppellii can eat up to 200 aphids per cycle. This natural enemy can be used at a slightly lower temperature. 
• Predatory beetles: Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is the best known aphid predator. 

The parasitic wasp is most commonly used to control aphids. The parasitic wasps find aphids in the crop even before the aphids can be seen with the naked eye, which makes these parasitic wasps very suitable as a preventive against aphids. Aphids cannot arm themselves against these parasitic wasps. But which wasps against aphids are available? 

• Aphidius colemani: The adult parasitic wasps hatch and parasitize aphids by laying an egg in them. The parasitic wasps find aphids in the crop even before the aphids can be seen, which is why these parasitic wasps are very suitable for preventive use. Remark with these parasitic wasps is that empty mummies remain on the crop. In some crops this can be at the expense of the ornamental value. In vegetable crops this does not play a role. 
• Aphidius ervi: The parasitic wasp parasitizes the aphid by drilling a hole in the aphid and then laying an egg in the aphid. The laid egg grows in the aphid, mummifying it and eventually a new parasitic wasp emerges. 
• Aphelinus abdominalis: is used to control potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) and buttercup aphid (Aulacorthum solani). The female injects the egg with her ovipositor into the aphid. 
• Aphidius matricariae: is used to control peach aphid (Myzus persicae), tobacco peach aphid (Myzus persicae var. Nicotianae) and peach potato aphid (Myzus persicae var. Persicae). This parasitic wasp also contributes to the disturbance of aphid populations such as buttercup aphid (Aulacorthum solani). The female injects the egg with her ovipositor into the aphid.

Want to buy aphid control products? Then you've come to the right place at Royal Brinkman. On royalbrinkman.com you can order your required aphid control products quickly and easily with your personal prices. Do you have questions about the use of biological aphid control products or how to control aphids in your greenhouse? Please contact one of our crop protection specialists.