Delphastus catalinae Whitefly Predator Beetles

Beneficial Predator Beetles for Whitefly Control

Delphastus catalinae is a small black ladybird beetle used for biological control of whiteflies in greenhouses and other protected growing environments. Both adults and larvae feed on whiteflies, with a preference for eggs and nymphs.

These beneficial beetles are especially useful in whitefly hotspots where prey is plentiful. Introduce them when whiteflies are detected and concentrate releases near infested foliage. They depend on an adequate food supply to reproduce, so they are better suited to active infestations than pest-free preventative releases.

How to Release

• Follow the instructions supplied with your beetles for release quantities and repeat applications appropriate to your crop and whitefly pressure.
• Release in the early morning or late evening, placing beetles close to whitefly infestations.
• Open the container and gently tap beetles onto affected foliage.
• Place the container upright among plants so remaining beetles can leave.
• Monitor infested areas and follow the supplier's guidance for follow-up releases.

Plan to release promptly after arrival. If a delay is unavoidable, follow the storage instructions supplied with your shipment.

Using Delphastus in an IPM Program

Delphastus can complement whitefly parasitoids such as Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus in an integrated pest management program. Adult and larval beetles tend to avoid whitefly nymphs containing parasitoids in later stages of development. This allows predators working in dense whitefly colonies to complement parasitoids active at lower pest densities.

Package Options

• BW-ABDC100: 100 beetles per bottle.
• BW-ABDC1K: 1,000 beetles per bottle.