APHIDIUSforce™ CE (500/ 1,000/ 5,000)

Product Description

APHIDIUSforce™ CE pairs two parasitoid wasps — Aphidius colemani and Aphidius ervi — so a single release covers both the smaller and the larger pest aphids common in greenhouses, indoor facilities, fields, and gardens. Colemani hunts down the small species while ervi handles the big ones; both find aphid hot spots at low density and turn each host into a bronze mummy. It is a practical choice when you don’t have time to identify every aphid species in the crop.

What it targets

Small aphid species (Aphidius colemani):

• Green Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae)
• Melon/Cotton Aphid (Aphis gossypii)
• Black Bean Aphid (Aphis fabae)
• Cannabis Aphid (Phorodon cannabis)

Large aphid species (Aphidius ervi):

• Potato Aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae)
• Foxglove Aphid (Aulacorthum solani)
• Pea Aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum)

Crops it supports

Ornamentals, hemp/cannabis, vegetable crops, soft fruits, and tree nurseries — in greenhouses, indoor facilities, fields, and gardens.

How the wasps control aphids

Female wasps hunt for aphids by sensing the odor of infested plants and the aphid’s honeydew secretions. Once she finds aphids, the female touches them with her antennae to confirm they are an appropriate species, then uses her ovipositor to insert a single egg inside the host. When the egg hatches, the larva eats the aphid from the inside, killing it 7 to 10 days later. The larva then spins a cocoon and the aphid turns into a bronze-colored mummy. The wasp pupates for 7 to 10 days before emerging as an adult, chewing a round exit hole out of the back of the aphid. Each female can lay up to 300 eggs, most of them during the first four days of adulthood. Aphidius colemani is particularly effective when used with banker plants.

Release Rates

Cannabis Alert: Release rate suggestions on these pages are usually not sufficient for cannabis growers. For cannabis release rates, contact us.

Release Instructions

Release timing: APHIDIUSforce™ CE can be released preventatively. Once aphids are detected, increase the dosage rate in line with pest density.

Release method: Open the container near the crop to be treated and release any adult wasps that have already emerged. If necessary, gently tap the bottle to encourage them to fly away. Then sprinkle the remaining contents on flat leaves or into release boxes and hang them in the plants/crops. Do not place mummies directly onto soil or substrate. Ensure the product contents remain dry and are not moved from the introduction site for a few days. For blister packs, open the tab on the back and hang it near the plants, out of direct sunlight.

Storage: Use immediately upon receipt. If that is not possible, the product can be briefly stored at 6–8°C / 43–46°F and RH > 85%. Always adhere to the use-by date.

Monitoring: Mummies can be observed on the leaves of the crop 10–14 days after the first application. A perfectly round hole at the back of the mummy indicates that an adult wasp has emerged. Control should be achieved once 80% of the aphids are parasitized. Check efficacy by watching for a reduction in the pest population, fewer hot spots, and healthy plant growth free of honeydew or sooty mold.

Advisories: Remove yellow sticky cards for the first few days after the wasps are released. Blue sticky cards are acceptable to keep the entire time. When scouting, look for the presence of hyperparasitoids, especially in the late summer months — they can hinder a biocontrol program by killing the Aphidius developing inside the aphids. Hyperparasitoids leave a jagged exit hole on the aphid mummy instead of the nearly perfectly round hole that Aphidius spp. produce.