Aphids, ladybugs and worm tea - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T12:12:08Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/aphids-ladybugs-and-worm-tea?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A569305&feed=yes&xn_auth=noYeah, A. colemani rock, and w…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-09-25:4778851:Comment:6155232015-09-25T11:48:46.137ZVlad Jovanovichttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/VladJovanovic
<p>Yeah, A. colemani rock, and work really well with other biological agents i.e different aphid eating larva. Using these combinations of multiple predators has shown to be particularly important if you already have an infestation on hand even if it's just cheapo lady bugs teaming up with the wasps. Here is a pic I snapped two days ago. the top of this pepper branch was so covered in apdids you could hardly see the plant. Those are all adult ladybugs (and not their more voracious…</p>
<p>Yeah, A. colemani rock, and work really well with other biological agents i.e different aphid eating larva. Using these combinations of multiple predators has shown to be particularly important if you already have an infestation on hand even if it's just cheapo lady bugs teaming up with the wasps. Here is a pic I snapped two days ago. the top of this pepper branch was so covered in apdids you could hardly see the plant. Those are all adult ladybugs (and not their more voracious progeny/larva). Adults typically feed on pollen and nectar, nut these guys and gals were hungry from traveling.</p>
<p>A day later there were almost no aphids on that branch :)</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772268647?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772268647?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>The A. colemani wasps really are quite innocuous in that you don't really even notice them. And often have to be patient and still to even be able to catch a glimpse of them going about their business.</p>
<p>Another really good biological agent in the 'Bug Battle' is a pathogenic fungi called Beauveria bassiana. It's sold here in the US under the name Mycotrol. There is an OMRI listed version called Mycotrol-O (they're the exact same product, just one is OMRI registered so it cost a few bucks more...since it cost $$$ to register products)...</p>
<p>Mycotrol is B. bassiana spore in a liquid suspension. It's totally fish safe too. It's totally non-toxic to people and other animals, and it's kinda neat to watch if you have the optics :)</p>
<p>The fungal spore lands on the pest during foliar spray application. There it germinates, penetrates the host and proceeds to kill the host within a few days.It works on many pests and for some reason doesn't affect many beneficials, but will affect some.</p>
<p>Here is a pic that I took of some dead aphids. They became infected by B. bassiana and died of white muscardine disease as do they all...</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2684395063?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2684395063?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p> Aphidius Colemmani parasitic…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-09-25:4778851:Comment:6154712015-09-25T03:24:27.458ZRohan Royhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RohanRoy
<p>Aphidius Colemmani parasitic wasps! They are amazing and are not a pest in any other way. They completely control the aphid problem in my greenhouse. I have to introduce them each year, but otherwise they completely solve the problem. </p>
<p>Aphidius Colemmani parasitic wasps! They are amazing and are not a pest in any other way. They completely control the aphid problem in my greenhouse. I have to introduce them each year, but otherwise they completely solve the problem. </p> If you have aphids. Check for…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-09-24:4778851:Comment:6153672015-09-24T19:33:48.020Zpaul burtonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/paulburton
If you have aphids. Check for ants, They have a reputation for introducing aphids to plants.
If you have aphids. Check for ants, They have a reputation for introducing aphids to plants. I had the same problem indoo…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-09-24:4778851:Comment:6154602015-09-24T14:19:45.413Zerinhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/erin
<p><br></br> I had the same problem indoor with mites. had to reset the whole system and clean sweep the house. I cant spray my crop with anything so i sealed all the light from my cabinet and take extra precautions to keep them off me. were on a ground floor so i keep a regular spray schedule around the outside of the building and use raid in the room on the carpets when i can stand it. </p>
<p>good luck</p>
<p><br></br> <cite>Dottie Kinn said:…</cite></p>
<p><br/> I had the same problem indoor with mites. had to reset the whole system and clean sweep the house. I cant spray my crop with anything so i sealed all the light from my cabinet and take extra precautions to keep them off me. were on a ground floor so i keep a regular spray schedule around the outside of the building and use raid in the room on the carpets when i can stand it. </p>
<p>good luck</p>
<p><br/> <cite>Dottie Kinn said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/aphids-ladybugs-and-worm-tea#4778851Comment615317"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>My system is infested w/aphids, too. I've sprayed w/neem oil, wiped plants, etc. but the critters live in the media, too!! Couple months ago, I took out the top 4" of media and washed it, washed off all the plants I could remove w/out damage and sprayed the rest. My system is in my apt. so buying ladybugs isn't practical. Any suggestions?? Unfortunately, a plant I purchased and added to my system several months ago was infested and I didn't realize it. BEWARE of buying plants to add unless you wash it thoroughly. I've taken to spraying the media w/neem oil. Will that damage the biofilter? Water has a nice balance and plants were very happy before this invasion.</p>
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</blockquote> You have to be careful with n…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-09-24:4778851:Comment:6152952015-09-24T14:05:49.325ZAlex Veidelhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AlexVeidel
<p>You have to be careful with neem oil. If it gets into your tank water the oil can cause problems with your fish.</p>
<p>You have to be careful with neem oil. If it gets into your tank water the oil can cause problems with your fish.</p> My system is infested w/aphid…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-09-20:4778851:Comment:6153172015-09-20T00:13:34.101ZDottie Kinnhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DottieKinn
<p>My system is infested w/aphids, too. I've sprayed w/neem oil, wiped plants, etc. but the critters live in the media, too!! Couple months ago, I took out the top 4" of media and washed it, washed off all the plants I could remove w/out damage and sprayed the rest. My system is in my apt. so buying ladybugs isn't practical. Any suggestions?? Unfortunately, a plant I purchased and added to my system several months ago was infested and I didn't realize it. BEWARE of buying plants to add unless…</p>
<p>My system is infested w/aphids, too. I've sprayed w/neem oil, wiped plants, etc. but the critters live in the media, too!! Couple months ago, I took out the top 4" of media and washed it, washed off all the plants I could remove w/out damage and sprayed the rest. My system is in my apt. so buying ladybugs isn't practical. Any suggestions?? Unfortunately, a plant I purchased and added to my system several months ago was infested and I didn't realize it. BEWARE of buying plants to add unless you wash it thoroughly. I've taken to spraying the media w/neem oil. Will that damage the biofilter? Water has a nice balance and plants were very happy before this invasion.</p> The only success I've had wit…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-03-25:4778851:Comment:6009502015-03-25T20:07:00.956ZRohan Royhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RohanRoy
<p>The only success I've had with Aphid control has been Aphidius Colemmani parasitic wasps. They lay their eggs in aphids and new wasps hatch and go on to lay more eggs in more aphids. They take a few weeks to get the problem under control, but they they keep it managed through through the whole season. They don't overwinter in my greenhouse, but it does freeze in there in the winter. I introduce them each spring. I get them from …</p>
<p>The only success I've had with Aphid control has been Aphidius Colemmani parasitic wasps. They lay their eggs in aphids and new wasps hatch and go on to lay more eggs in more aphids. They take a few weeks to get the problem under control, but they they keep it managed through through the whole season. They don't overwinter in my greenhouse, but it does freeze in there in the winter. I introduce them each spring. I get them from <a href="https://hydro-gardens.com/product-category/beneficials/aphids/" target="_blank">https://hydro-gardens.com/product-category/beneficials/aphids/</a>, and have been very happy. </p> It would also seem that in ad…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-07-01:4778851:Comment:5694352014-07-01T13:45:55.413ZVlad Jovanovichttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/VladJovanovic
<p>It would also seem that in addition to chitanase producing micro-organisms being present in some worm castings <span style="font-size: 13px;">teas, there has been some interesting research to explore the role of phenolic compounds, in castings and teas, that act as insect anti-feedants. Some of these phenolic compounds seem to retard the reproduction and fecundancy of some pests.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">There was a cool study done in 1963...then a big lull in that arena…</span></p>
<p>It would also seem that in addition to chitanase producing micro-organisms being present in some worm castings <span style="font-size: 13px;">teas, there has been some interesting research to explore the role of phenolic compounds, in castings and teas, that act as insect anti-feedants. Some of these phenolic compounds seem to retard the reproduction and fecundancy of some pests.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">There was a cool study done in 1963...then a big lull in that arena (research) until just a few years ago (2008-9). You should be able to dig it up on the net Alex...If not PM me :)</span></p> Hi,
This information is publi…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-07-01:4778851:Comment:5696162014-07-01T07:25:30.086ZConversehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Converse
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>This information is published in the research from Ohio State Univ. Soils Lab and also Soil Foodweb Lab in Corvalis,OR...so you do not have to take my word for it...I do my best to keep up in the current research since it is my business - vermiculture and vermicomposting. There is always more to learn. It is my pleasure to help out fellow AP enthusiasts with this info..</p>
<p>- Converse</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>This information is published in the research from Ohio State Univ. Soils Lab and also Soil Foodweb Lab in Corvalis,OR...so you do not have to take my word for it...I do my best to keep up in the current research since it is my business - vermiculture and vermicomposting. There is always more to learn. It is my pleasure to help out fellow AP enthusiasts with this info..</p>
<p>- Converse</p> I didn't know that worm casti…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-06-30:4778851:Comment:5693882014-06-30T16:03:47.657ZAlex Veidelhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AlexVeidel
<p>I didn't know that worm castings contained an insect killing enzyme. Where did you learn about this?</p>
<p>Also, if you brew your tea with worm compost instead of castings, you will still be inoculating beneficial bacteria in your leaf surfaces, which act as competition for pests like aphids.</p>
<p><br></br> <br></br> <cite>Converse said:…</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/aphids-ladybugs-and-worm-tea#4778851Comment569158"></blockquote>
<p>I didn't know that worm castings contained an insect killing enzyme. Where did you learn about this?</p>
<p>Also, if you brew your tea with worm compost instead of castings, you will still be inoculating beneficial bacteria in your leaf surfaces, which act as competition for pests like aphids.</p>
<p><br/> <br/> <cite>Converse said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/aphids-ladybugs-and-worm-tea#4778851Comment569158"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Hi,</p>
<p> Sorry about your aphid, troubles. Hopefully I can shed some light on the worm tea situation. I am only able to address this based on the info. you have given me though. </p>
<p> Worm castings naturally contain chitinase, which is an enzyme. The bodes of insects are made up of chitin. When the enzymes come in contact with the insects it begins to attack their bodies. This is why it works on bugs. Worm casting tea needs to be made from worm castings, not worm compost (meaning you should be using pure castings), and they should be moist, not dry, and not have been stored in an air-tight container.. To fight off insects and plant maladies it needs to be made strong enough, and be made with non-chlorinated water. You should be using 2/3 cup castings for every gallon of water. The best tea is the stuff that is brewed. That means using an aerator (fish tank bubbler) if you do not have one of the expensive brewers on the market. Add 2 Tbsp of sugar (not honey) per gallon of water. Let it brew for about 24 hours. Apply right away to all plant surfaces. (this is the short versin - if you want more details you can do a search for Freshly Brewed Worm Casting Tea on this site, and you will find I have posted the details a few times here and there on this forum).</p>
<p> Yes, your lady bugs will also be sensitive to the tea, which may be why they are gone. My best to you in your efforts to get rid of those aphids! If you have any further questions, please let me know.</p>
<p>- Converse</p>
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