Orcon Encarsia Formosa Mail-Back, 5 Pack | Greenhouse Whitefly Parasite

Encarsia Formosa Mail-Back Codes, 5 Pack

This pack holds five prepaid Orcon certificates rather than live insects in a box. Each code is redeemed on the Organic Control website, and the insectary sends the live wasps from there. That format keeps a living product off a store shelf and lets the delivery line up with a release window. The insect is Encarsia formosa, a parasitoid wasp about 0.6 mm long. Females have a black head and thorax over a yellow abdomen, and males are rarely seen. They target the immature scale of greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, laying an egg inside each one. The larva develops in the scale and kills it, and the scale turns black as the new wasp grows. At around 70°F, the trip from egg to adult takes about 25 days. Adult females also host-feed on young nymphs, killing many more than they lay eggs in. The wasp is harmless to people and pets and leaves other insects alone. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and poinsettias are the classic crops where it earns its keep.

Releasing a Whitefly Parasite for Steady Control

A whitefly parasite works best when it goes in early. Release at the first sign of whitefly, before the population takes off. If numbers are already high, knock them back with insecticidal soap and let it dry before releasing. Plan on about one wasp per square foot of planted area, or one to three per plant, whichever is higher. Three releases a week apart give overlapping generations instead of a single wave. Hang the cards in shade in the lower canopy, close to where the scale sits on leaf undersides. Encarsia works best at roughly 70 to 80°F and 50 to 80% humidity. Below about 65°F the adults stop flying, and survival drops above 86°F. Pull yellow sticky cards before each release and put them back a few days later. Skip long-residual insecticides beforehand, since the wasps are very sensitive to spray residues. If release has to wait, keep the insects out of sunlight at 40 to 50°F.

Key Features

• Five Prepaid Codes: Redeemed online with Orcon for live Encarsia formosa.
• Targets Whitefly Scale: Parasitizes immature greenhouse whitefly on the leaf.
• Black Scale Shows Results: Parasitized scale darkens as the new wasp develops.
• Release at First Sign: Heavy infestations need insecticidal soap first.
• Three Weekly Releases: Overlapping generations keep adults hunting.
• Warm-Room Performer: Works best at 70 to 80°F and 50 to 80% humidity.

Technical Specifications