Ladybugs for melon aphid
UC IPM says naturally occurring convergent lady beetles may give effective control of melon aphid in early spring, but that releasing them is not effective because they generally do not stay in the field. UF/IFAS lists lady beetles with flower flies and braconid wasps among the aphid's natural enemies, and says the wasp Lysiphlebus testaceipes sometimes parasitises up to 99% of the aphids. Leave the swollen, papery mummies alone and avoid broad-spectrum sprays. UC IPM adds that natural enemies do not reduce the viruses this aphid spreads.
Before you act
Everyone's first idea for aphids, and the one beneficial where buying is usually the wrong move. The ladybugs sold by the tub are convergent lady beetles collected from the wild, and UC IPM says most fly away within a day or two of release, even when aphids are plentiful. The larvae do much of the eating, and they turn up on their own wherever there are aphids. How to recognise it, what it is confused with and how to keep it around are on the full Ladybugs profile.
Other controls for melon aphid
- Aphidius colemaniParasitoid wasp · 0.25–4 /m² per release, at least three releases
- Aphidoletes aphidimyzaPredatory midge · 1–10 /m² per release, weekly
- Chrysoperla carneaGreen lacewing larvae · 2–20 /m² per release, weekly
- Braconid waspsWild parasitoid · Wild — conserve; do not buy
- HoverfliesWild predator (larvae) · Wild — attract adults with open flowers