Episyrphus balteatus 50 pcs

Hoverflies are medium-sized insects with a striking yellow-black body pattern, resembling that of a wasp. They can be distinguished from wasps by the absence of a narrow waist and their typical hovering flight. They do not sting. The larvae feed on aphids. Adult hoverflies can be used preventively provided there is food in the form of flower nectar and/or pollen available. The larvae of Episyrphus balteatus are 10 to 20 mm long, have a soft, transparent body, and resemble slugs. The pupae look like tapered snail shells.

Life cycle and efficacy

The larva of Episyrphus can consume 400 to 700 aphids before pupation, which occurs after one to two weeks. During hunting, the larvae move with a swinging upper body, searching for their prey, which they then hold with saliva and suck out. The larvae are active from temperatures as low as 8 ºC. A relative humidity above 60% positively affects the efficacy of Episyrphus larvae. When all conditions are met, the supplied pupae hatch within about 5 days, and the first eggs can be expected after 6 to 8 days. Hoverflies are extremely sensitive to chemical pesticides. Therefore, no chemical treatments may be applied for at least six weeks prior to releasing hoverflies.