What are parasitic wasps?
Parasitic wasps are small insects that play a crucial role in natural pest control. They are called "parasitic" because they lay their eggs inside or on harmful pest insects. These parasitic wasp larvae then develop inside the host insect, eventually killing it.
These wasps are highly specialized, with different species targeting specific pests. They are effective in reducing the population of harmful insects, making them valuable allies in horticulture and agriculture. Unlike chemical pesticides, parasitic wasps are natural and do not harm beneficial insects, animals, or the environment.
Parasitic wasps for pest control
Parasitic wasps target a variety of pests that are common concerns in commercial horticulture and agriculture. Here are some of the key pests controlled by parasitic wasps:
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Parasitic wasps for aphids Parasitic wasps for aphids Aphids are notorious for infesting a wide range of crops and causing damage by sucking plant sap and transmitting plant viruses. Parasitic wasps, such as Aphelinus abdominalis (Aphilin), Aphidius colemani (Aphipar), Aphidius matricariae (Aphipar-M), Aphidius ervi (Ervipar) and Praon volucre, Ephedrus cerasicola (Aphiscout) are particularly effective in controlling aphid populations.
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Parasitic wasps for whiteflies Parasitic wasps for whiteflies Whiteflies are common pests that feed on plant sap and transmit plant diseases. Encarsia formosa (En-Strip) and Eretmocerus eremicus (Ercal, Enermix) are parasitic wasps known for their efficacy in controlling whitefly populations.
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Parasitic wasps for leaf miners Parasitic wasps for leaf miners Leaf miners are pests that create tunnels within plant leaves, damaging the foliage. Some parasitic wasps, like Diglyphus isaea (Miglyphus) and Dacnusa sibirica (Minusa), target leaf miner larvae by laying their eggs inside the leaf miner's pupae.