Parasitic Wasp - Encarsia

SHIPPING DEADLINES

Please note we cannot ship live insects to PO Box addresses.  All orders placed to a PO Box instead of a physical address will be delayed until an address is provided.

Parasitic Wasp (Encarsia formosa)

Encarsia formosa is a parasitic wasp of the Aphelinidae family. E. formosa can utilize at least 15 species of whitefly as hosts but the principal target is the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vapararaiorum).  It provides a solution for greenhouse whitefly control and also limited control of sweet potato whitefly (Besisia tabaci) in greenhouse and nurseries on crops including, strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes and ornamentals.

These tiny wasps are shipped as ‘mummies’. and the emerging wasps search for immature whiteflies to parasitize. The tiny females are black with a yellow abdomen and opalescent wings while the males (although rare) are completely black in color.

Parasitized greenhouse whitefly pupae turn black in about 10 days and are easily distinguished from non-parasitized hosts.

PRODUCT

BioEncarsia is available in two forms:

• Bottles of 5,000 mummies in a sawdust medium.
• Cardboard strips with mummified whitefly eggs.

D-boxes can be used to apply BioEncarsia throughout the crop.

APPLICATION

Apply BioEncarsia within 24 hours of receipt

BioEncarsia should only be applied when temperatures range between 68-86°C.

To apply BioEncarsia from a bottle:

• Use the D-box to distribute the “mummies” throughout the crops
• Hang the D-box about 4 leaves below the top of the plant
• Make sure the D-box is not in direct sunlight

To apply BioEncarsia as strips:

• Bend and tear off the strips
• Hang the cards among the crop about 4 leaves below the top of the plant
• Make sure the strips are not in direct sunlight

Suggested application: (remove yellow sticky traps prior to release) Use prophylactically at 500-1000 per 15,000sq ft.  Low pressure used 1 aduly per 50-100 plants or 1,000-2,000 per 5,000-10,000 sq ft. High pressure at 3,000 per 3,500 sq ft.

Please note that the frequency and amount BioEncarsia to be released is determined by the type of crop, environmental conditions, level of infestation and damage incurred by the pest.

SHIPPING

Orders can take 1 - 2 weeks to arrive to you.  Beneficial Insects are reared to order. You can refer to our order and shipping deadlines to get a better idea of when your order will be ready HERE.

Please feel free to call or email us before placing your order if you have any questions.

All beneficial insects are shipped via an overnight carrier once the order is ready to leave the insectary.

REFUNDS AND RETURNS

Please note that once you have made your purchase, we are unable to accept returns or process refunds for beneficial insects.  The specific quantity and insect state you order are specially reared at the insectary so as to handle your particular pest pressure and arrive viable and ready to get to work!

STORAGE

Keep in a cool location 46°F - 50°F until release. Should be released within 24 hours of receipt.

If you would like to speak to an expert to produce a tailor-made IPM program to meet your individual needs, please email us at orders@kisorganics.com or call us at (425) 558-0990.