rgold1963 Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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Aphids have been a real problem this year on the pepper crop in the greenhouse. Being certified organic limits control options. I have always followed a no spray control method so using beneficial insects has been the best method of controlling pests. The Aphidoletes aphidamyza is a small midge that lays it's eggs among the aphid colonies. When the eggs hatch the larvae crawl along the leaves and bite the aphids on the leg injecting a toxin that paralyzes them and then they feed on the aphids bodily fluid. They are quite voracious and will kill between 10 and 100 aphids a day depending on how heavy the aphid population is.
These are all shot with a 1DMKIV, MP-E 65mm @ 5X and a single head of the MT-24EX flash.
© Ron Goldman 2012
Aphidoletes adult
© Ron Goldman 2012
Larvae injecting toxin
© Ron Goldman 2012
Larvae injecting toxin
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