Braconid wasps for oleander aphid
Lysiphlebus testaceipes parasitises oleander aphid, leaving papery, light-brown, swollen mummies from which a single wasp emerges, and UF/IFAS describes natural control of this aphid as quite effective. The aphid stores milkweed toxins, but UF/IFAS says they appear not to harm its parasitoids. On milkweed grown for monarchs, sparing this wild wasp from sprays is the aim.
Before you act
Small parasitic wasps (the common Cotesia species are only 2–3 mm long) whose larvae develop inside a caterpillar or an aphid and kill it. The white, rice-grain cocoons standing up on the back of a hornworm are theirs, and a hornworm carrying them should be left on the plant. How to recognise it, what it is confused with and how to keep it around are on the full Braconid wasps profile.
Other controls for oleander aphid
- HoverfliesWild predator (larvae) · Wild — plant a mix of flowers near the milkweed
- LadybugsWild predator · wild, attract it
- Aphidoletes aphidimyzaPredatory midge · Outdoors: none — wild midges arrive on milkweed
- Chrysoperla carneaGreen lacewing larvae · 2–20 /m² per release, weekly