COCCOPHAGUS SCUTELLARIS is a small black parasitoid that can be used for the biological control of various soft scale species. The adult parasitoids are available in units of 25- in a 40 ml jar. Immediately after release the parasitoids will start looking for a host. This product can be applied both indoors (e.g. greenhouses) and outdoors (e.g. ornamental gardens).
The parasitoid COCCOPHAGUS SCUTELLARIS can be used for the biological control of different soft scale species; such as brown soft scale; hemispherical scale; black scale; cottony camellia scale and Parthenolecanium species. The parasitoid is about 1.5 mm in size and black. Female wasps have a yellow-white spot on their back; which is just visible with the naked eye. Parasitized soft scales turn black after two to three weeks. When the young parasitoids hatch; a dark; dead soft scale remains on the plant. With a hand-lens you could see the small hole in the soft scale body. Its presence demonstrates the activity of the parasitoid.
How does COCCOPHAGUS SCUTELLARIS work?
This parasitoid parasitizes small stages of soft scale. The female deposits a single egg per soft scale. During the development of the young parasitoid; the soft scale will continue to grow. Eventually the soft scale dies and the young parasitoid emerges through a small hole in the pupa. Immediately the young parasitoid starts to look for a new host. The cycle repeats and the pest density will decrease. In addition; the soft scales are used as a source of food by the adult parasitoids. This is called host feeding and this process contributes to the control of the pest population.
Unlike some other parasitoids; COCCOPHAGUS SCUTELLARIS is not bothered by the presence of ants. It can be applied both indoors (e.g. greenhouse) and outdoors (e.g. ornamental gardens).
How to combine COCCOPHAGUS SCUTELLARIS
COCCOPHAGUS SCUTELLARIS is often used for the control of wooly soft scales in for example hortensia. In that case COCCOPHAGUS SCUTELLARIS is great in combination with EXOCHOMUS QUADRIPUSTULATUS larvae.
indoors: March - October
outdoors: May - September
