Large aphids? The battle is on!

What is Ervi-System?

• The biological control agent Aphidius ervi
• Most frequently used parasitic wasp to control large aphids
• Efficient against large aphid species such as the potato aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae and the foxglove aphid Aulacorthum solani

 What are the benefits of Ervi-System?

• Very good search behaviour that allows them to detect and parasitize incipient aphid hot spots at low prey density
• Can distinguish parasitized from non-parasitized aphids
• Develops and spreads fast in the crop
• Adapted to low temperatures 

How does biological control with Ervi-System work?

• Females lay hundreds of eggs during the first 4 days of their adult life
• The parasitic wasps detect alarm signals from an affected plant and the smell of honeydew secreted by the host. This allows them to locate aphid hot spots from a long distance
• They can parasitize hundreds of aphids
• The parasitic wasps parasitize both adults and nymphs
• Parasitized aphids change into golden brown mummies
• Parasitic wasps can cause a panic reaction, due to which the aphids fall onto the ground and die 

In which crops can you introduce Ervi-System?

• Ornamental crops such as chrysanthemum and gerbera  
• Vegetable crops such as tomato, eggplant and pepper
• Soft fruit such as strawberry and raspberry
• Tree nursery 

Want to know more? Please contact your Biobest advisor for tailored advice.

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