Preferred food: greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and limited control of sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci).

Shipment, biology and release: Will kill 200 whiteflies per week. The wasp develops inside the whitefly scale and emerges after 20 days. Shipped on strips (10 tiny cards on each strip) that contain parasitized whitefly scale and more than 1,000 Encarsia. Release Wasps at the first sign of whitefly by hanging strips on plant foliage.

Release rates: For greenhouse tomatoes and peppers, 1 Encarsia/4 plants weekly for 8-10 weeks; cucumbers, one/2 plants weekly for 8-10 weeks; poinsettias, two/plant weekly, 8-12 weeks. For acre dosage release 3,000 weekly, for 8-10 weeks. Release upon receipt to ensure full potency.

Release rates vary depending upon crop, infestation and season of the year. For prevention, use 1 parasite for 10 sq ft. For low infestations (less than 1 adult whitefly per 50-100 plants) release 1 parasite/sq ft weekly for a minimum of 5 weeks. For higher infestations, use 5 parasites/sq ft for a minimum of 5 weeks.

Eggs are shipped on cards that can be hung directly on the plants. Release immediately upon receipt. Suspend the cards below plant tops. Cards can be put on stakes or hung from the edge of a pot. Do not touch the eggs or pupae. Do not hang them in direct sunlight. Place as close to whitefly populations as possible. Leave the cards in place for at least 10 days to allow all eggs to hatch. Look for parasitized whitefly pupae, easily distinguishable from unparasitized pupae.

Availability: year-round. Can be used in conjunction with Green Lacewing and Delphastus.

Use with Delphastus pusillus and/or eretmocerus eremicus

Please allow 10 days to process order.