Adalia bupunctata

Description

Order Deadlines: This beneficial insects must be ordered and paid for by Wednesday (12pm Eastern Standard Time) for shipping the following Tuesday.  

Product description

Adalia bipunctata, commonly known as the two-spotted lady beetle, two-spot ladybird, or two-spotted ladybug, is a carnivorous beetle from the family Coccinellidae. This remarkable species is native to North America and plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems through its dietary habits and predatory behavior. They thrive in wooded habitats in temperate regions and are commonly found in meadows, forests, gardens, and fields during the warmer months.

Both the larvae and adults of Adalia bipunctata are carnivorous, primarily feeding on aphids and other soft-bodied insects such as psyllids, scale insects, mealybugs, as well as mites and insect eggs.

To effectively release Adalia bipunctata larvae on plants, follow these guidelines for optimal results. Begin by introducing the larvae in the center of aphid hotspots on infested plants, ensuring you don’t wait until these hotspots become too large before making your release. For best practices, release the larvae in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Prior to releasing, spray a fine mist of water on the plants to create a suitable environment. A specific release technique involves directly placing the larvae onto the leaves of infested plants, allowing them immediate access to their primary food source and enhancing their effectiveness in controlling aphid populations.

SHIPPED: Adalia bipunctata is packed in its larval stages and per 100 larvae with shredded paper as carrier material.

OPTIMUM CONDITIONS: 15C to 30C (59F to 86F).  Most favorable temperature is 23°C (73.4°F).  Humidity 30% to 90%

RELEASE RATE: 10 to 25 larvae per m2