BeneficialWoolly apple aphid
Hoverflies for woolly apple aphid
Syrphidae · wild predator (larvae)
Against woolly apple aphid
In Washington apple orchards, hoverfly larvae were among the commonest predators found in woolly apple aphid colonies, including a specialist, Heringia calcarata, recorded there for the first time. WSU notes the sedentary syrphid larvae are the easiest predators to find in colonies. They add to the control on the branches that WSU credits mainly to the parasitoid Aphelinus mali, which does not reach the root colonies.
RateWild — attract adults with open flowers
TimingLarvae build up once colonies are numerous; aerial colonies are commonest in midsummer and autumn
macro · hoverflies on woolly apple aphid
The pestWoolly apple aphidEriosoma lanigerumWhite cottony tufts on apple bark and pruning cuts; knobbly galls on twigs and rootsFull 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 woolly apple aphid
- Chrysoperla carneaGreen lacewing larvae · 2–20 /m² per release, weekly
- LadybugsWild predator · Nothing to release — feed and shelter the ones already there