Adavalue – Biological control (or integrated control)


	Did You know??

	If You have general questions about integrated control, but not especially regarding aphid control, we invite You to visit the website of the non-profit organization Adalia.

Biological control (or integrated control)
An especially effective weapon against aphids.

Adalia bipunctata is a predator, indigenous to Europe. It is notorious because the adults can devour up to 90 aphids each day.

But the larvae are even more voracious: they can eat more than 150 aphids each day! Adalia is used against several aphid species and in different plant cultures.

Ladybird larvae are used in aphid control in ornamental plants and fruit and vegetable production.

Adalia bipunctata ladybird larva

In Europe there are about 800 different aphid species, each different in size and color. Aphids attack practically all plants. They suck the plant juices and excrete a sweet, sticky liquid, called honeydew on which a black mold can develop: sooty mold.

Aphids can affect the life force of plants and are the source of several plant diseases and cosmetic damage. Aphids have several natural enemies, the “garden auxiliaries”. These auxiliaries are mainly predators and parasitoids.

The predators are mainly ladybirds (larvae and adults), hover flies (larvae) and lacewings (larvae). Parasitoids are tiny wasps who lay their eggs in the aphids' living bodies.

And let us not forget the birds, particularly tits, who are efficient aphid predators as well.

But, despite their undeniable efficiency, natural enemies sometimes have trouble coping with the exponential growth of aphid colonies when climatic conditions are favorable. Biological control with indigenous ladybirds ADALIA consists of supporting natural enemy populations and their settling in the garden. Biological aphid control thus is achieved naturally.

Applications :
Adalia bipunctata is an indigenous ladybird. It is found naturally throughout Europe. It is thus found in a relatively large number of habitats and feeds on several aphid species. It prefers relative sunny and dry conditions, characteristic for places where vegetation is short and less dense.

That is why Adalia bipunctata is a regular visitor of vegetable gardens, fields and flowerbeds. It can be used in greenhouse as well as open air cultures, in gardens (roses, shrubs, annuals), vegetable gardens and orchards.

Types of plants	Quantity to be released
Roses and flowered plants	3 to 5 larvae / flowered stem
Ornemental shrub (honeysuckle, climbing rosebush,…)	1 to 2 larvae / aphid hotspot
Small fruit trees (currant,..)	3 to 5 larvae / stem or 10 larvae / heavy infection
Vegetable garden (salad, strawberries,…)	2 to 5 larvae per plant
Short fruit trees (apple, pear,..)	10 to 20 larvae / tree (early introduction)
Tall trees (Tillia, Acer, …)	100 larvae per tree for 30 cm diameter trunk - 300 larvae per tree for 100 cm diameter trunk

Tips for introduction :
	Pay attention not to introduce ladybirds prior to or during periods of heavy wind, rain and/or frost (especially frost).
	Introduce them close to aphid colonies before these become too big.
	The number of ladybirds to introduce depends on the importance of the attack and the development of the plants. Check daily and repeat the introduction if necessary.


	Remarks : Biological control of aphids with ladybirds will be less efficient without the elimination of ant colonies in the vicinity of your plants (by placing insect glue bands around the trunks and stems), because ants will prevent ladybirds attacking the aphids.

Prices from January 2011

30 larvae
50 larvae
100 larvae
250 larvae

€ 12,97
€ 15,95
€ 27,50
€ 51,80

If You have general questions about integrated control, but not especially regarding aphid control, we invite You to visit the website of the non-profit organization Adalia.


		Adavalue. Ladybirds for life• ©Adavalue 2012 • Contacts