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Aphidius colemani is an ichneumon wasp with a strong ability to search for the small aphid species. It is often the case that when we find an aphid spot it has already been parasitized. Even a novice aphid hot spot does not escape this fighter. That is also the reason why colemani is often used preventively.

As mentioned above, Aphidius colemani feeds itself with the small aphid species. These include the following aphids: 

• Cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) 
• Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) 
• Tobacco aphid (Myzus nocotianae)  
  

The parasitic wasp pierces the aphid with its ovipositor and lays an egg in it. The aphid or nymph then swells and turns into a gray-brown mummy. If you encounter these mummies in the crop, you know that the parasitic wasp has done its job well. As soon as the egg hatches, the parasitic wasp leaves the aphid via a self-created exit at the back of the aphid. On average the aphid parasitizes around 300 aphids.

Have you just discovered aphids in the crop? Colemani is particularly effective in this initial stage. The parasitic wasp performs best at an average temperature of 20 to 25°C. At temperatures above 30°C this performance decreases significantly. As early as 13°C the parasitic wasp starts to become active and will parasitize aphids. 

Colemani cannot be stored for long, so it is important to release the parasitic wasp as soon as possible after receipt. If you do choose to store the product, make sure you keep it at a temperature between eight and ten degrees Celsius for a maximum of 24 hours.

Aphidius colemani comes under the name APHIcontrol and is available in bottles with different numbers of mummies with buckwheat as the carrier material. Buckwheat gives the mummies of parasitic wasps proper protection during transport. Consider the influence of moisture and damage from shaking and bumping of the package.

After opening the bottle, sprinkle the material with the mummies over the affected areas. Pay attention to the following: do not place the material on sunny or wet surfaces. To make sure that all mummies hatch, we recommend to leave the bottle in the crop in a sheltered place. Introboxes can be used to insert the pupae.

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