Description
These 2 mm. mini-wasps, like D. siberica, are best used for preventing the establishment of several leafminer species. They can also tackle minor infestations. And, if established, they can adequately protect a crop throughout the season.
D. isaea, which are shipped as pre-hatched, pre-fed adults, are the product of choice when leafminers are first seen, or soon expected to be seen, in a warmer area. They do best in warmer conditions.
D. isaea, like D. siberica, can control the Florida, chrysanthemum or serpentine leafminer (Liriomyza trifolii), the tomato leafminer (L. bryoniae) and many others of economic importance. D. isaea can control 18 known species from 4 different genera, not just the genus Liriomyza.
Life-style
These parasitoids, work by "stinging" (oviposition) the larvae of leafminers while they work in their mesophyll mines with their ovipositors (egg-laying apparati). The stinging conveys a paralyzing toxin to the pests. The toxin works right away, the larvae stop feeding. But these mini-wasps don't stop there. They will also feed on the hosts (host-feeding), as do many Chalcid (KAL-cid) wasps (a wasp family). They will then lay 1-5 eggs next to the paralyzed larvae, up to 50 eggs in their life. The wasps' larvae which hatch from the eggs, then consume the leafminer larvae from the outside-in (ectoparasitism). The parasitoids' larvae then construct pillars of fecal matter around the remains of the much deteriorated pests. These are thought to protect the beneficial larvae from leaf drying, etc., while they undergo pupation.
The life-span of these parasitoids is roughly 2 weeks in their immature stages, then 3 weeks as adults. The conditions for optimum performance will be between 75-90°F with a relative humidity of around 80%. But these are optimum conditions, and not necessarily a prerequisite of successful implementation. Under optimum conditions, each female Diglyphus kills about 360 leafminer larvae. Please note, however, significantly cooler or warmer temperatures and humidity fluctuations may hamper reproduction and development a certain degree.
Benefits
The benefits are very much the same as those of Dacnusa siberica (see previous for details), with exception to the time of year for best use (spring and summer) and their temperature preferences.
D. isaea, also being shipped as adults, offer the benefit of fast oviposition or egg-laying.These tiny wasps parasitize leafminer larvae in the first and second stages of development. .
Release rate: 500-1,000/acre every 2 weeks, 2-3 releases.
Use in conjunction with Blue Sticky Traps. Use indoors and outdoors.
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When will my order ship?
• Orders ship Mondays and Tuesdays.
• Orders received by Wednesday will ship the following Monday or Tuesday (Minimum 5 day processing)
Ships FedEx Priority Overnight Only
Select FedEx Priority Overnight at checkout. No other shipping methods are available to ship this item.
When will my order ship?
• Orders ship Mondays and Tuesdays.
• Orders received by Wednesday will ship the following Monday or Tuesday (Minimum 5 day processing).
If your total order includes other items, Next Day Air shipping charges may be applied to ship the other items. You may wish to place a separate order for other items to avoid being charged Next Day Air prices for those items.
Be aware that your order may arrive in 2 or more shipments depending upon what you have ordered. For example, beneficial insects may arrive a few days ahead of other products based upon the shipping method that was selected or required for particular items in your order.
Contact Customer Services if you have any questions about shipping rates or policies. Or read our Shipping Info & Policies.
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