Two-Spotted Ladybugs

The two-spotted ladybug Adalia bipuntata is a highly effective predator for controlling aphid infestations. Both larvae and adults actively seek out dense aphid colonies, where they feed aggressively and lay eggs. Larvae, particularly the third and fourth instars, are the most voracious feeding stage and are responsible for most of the aphid suppression.

After pupation, adult beetles continue feeding for several weeks and can lay up to 20 eggs per day when adequate prey is available, allowing populations to build quickly within active infestations. Because Adalia requires a consistent food source to remain effective, it is best suited for moderate to heavy aphid pressure and targeted hotspot control rather than low-level preventive releases.

Target Prey: Ladybugs primarily feed on aphids, but will prey on a variety of other pests including mealybugs, thrips, soft scale, whiteflies and spider mites.

Release Rates: Adalia is best introduced early after infestation is noticed. Rates are similar for larvae and adults.

• Light infestation: 5-20 per plant
• Moderate infestations: 20-50 per plant
• High infestations: Consider a knockdown spray prior to releasing beneficials, or use in targeted hot spots.
• Monitor and repeat applications every 1-2 weeks.

Compatibility: Adalia bipunctata works well alongside parasitoid wasps (A colemani, A ervi, A abdominalis), which help control aphids at earlier life stages while Adalia focuses on quickly reducing active infestations. Together, they provide more complete aphid control across the crop. Avoid using broad-spectrum insecticides at the same time, as these can harm beneficial insects.

This Product Controls These Pests or Diseases: Alfalfa Weevil (Hypera postica Gyllenhal), Aphids (Mult), Armyworm (Pseudaletia unipuncta), Asparagus Beetles (Crioceris asparagi (common); Crioceris duodecimpunctata (spotted)), Bean Beetles - Mexican Bean Beetle (Epilachna varivestis Mulsant), Bean Thrips (Caliothrips fasciatus), Beet Armyworm (Spodoptera exigua (Hubner)), Beet Leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus), Black Scale (Saissetia oleae), Brown Almond Mite (Bryobia rubrioculus), California Laurel Aphid (Euthoracaphis umbellulariae), Caterpillar Eggs (Mult), Citrus Red Scale (aka California Red Scale) (Aonidiella aurantii), Citrus Yellow Scale (aka California Yellow Scale) (Aonidiella citrina), Coconut Mealybug (Nipaecoccus nipae), Colorado Potato Beetle Larvae, Grape Leafhopper (Erythroneura elegantula), Greenhouse Whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), Leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus), Leafhopper (Empoasca sp), Mealybug (Planococcus citri), Mealybug (Pseudococcus sp), Mexican Bean Beetle (Epilachna varivestis Mulsant), Mites (Tetranychus sp), Potato Leafhopper (Empoasca fabae), Potato Leafhopper; Bean Jassid (Empoasca fabae), Scale (Mult.), Silverleaf Whitefly (Bemisia sp), Spider Mite (Mult), Sweet Potato Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), Sweetpotato Whitefly (Bemisia sp), Thrips (Franklinothrips sp), Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae)