Encarsia parasitic wasp for natural whitefly control.
Description
Encarsia formosa is a tiny parasite wasp that lays its eggs in 2 week old whitefly scale. Females lay an average of 200 eggs during their lifetime. Always identify the whitefly species to determine if Encarsia will be effective.
Targets greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly and sweet potato whitefly
Not harmful to people, pets or wildlife
Use in combination with Delphastus which avoids feeding on parasitized whitefly
Best used preventatively
Monitor the lower leaves and look for parasitized whitefly which turn black
When 90% of scale have turned black, reduce rate
Rates and release information
Release .1 to 1/sq. ft. weekly every 1-2 weeks at least 5 times
Encarsia pupae are sold glued onto cards or as loose scales
Hang the cards from the lower leaves in the shade
Encarsia tend to fly upward
Avoid wetting cards while watering
Place in hanging baskets and in plants on benches
Avoid touching the delicate pupae on the cards
Ordering information
Orders are due by noon on Friday PT for shipment the following Wednesday
