BeneficialOleander aphid
Hoverflies for oleander aphid
Syrphidae · wild predator (larvae)
Against oleander aphid
UF/IFAS photographs syrphid larvae feeding in oleander aphid colonies and pupating on infested milkweed, and a field study found aphid numbers fell as syrphid, midge and lacewing numbers rose. University of Florida researchers cite evidence that more flower variety in a milkweed garden raises predator numbers — the monarch-safe alternative to spraying.
RateWild — plant a mix of flowers near the milkweed
TimingOnce colonies are established on milkweed
macro · hoverflies on oleander aphid
The pestOleander aphidAphis neriiBright yellow colonies on milkweed and oleander tips, honeydew, sooty mouldFull pest profile →Before you act
The adults are the striped, hovering flies on open flowers; the larvae are legless, slug-like maggots that eat aphids inside the colony. How to recognise it, what it is confused with and how to keep it around are on the full Hoverflies profile.
Other controls for oleander aphid
- Braconid waspsWild parasitoid · Wild — conserve; do not buy
- 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