ENSTRIP - Parasitic Wasp Encarsia Formosa

10 cardboard strips, hatching 3,000 parasitic wasps

50 cardboard strips, hatching 15,000 parasitic wasps

*ORDERS FOR BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROLS MUST BE PLACED BEFORE WEDNESDAYS 11:30 AM PST TO BE SHIPPED THE FOLLOWING WEEK*

Each box contains cardboard strips with 5 cards each, wrapped in plastic, with parasitized whitefly pupae.

Female adult parasitic wasps parasitize the third and fourth larval stages of the whitefly. Additionally, host feeding also occurs.

Use ENSTRIP for biological pest control of primarily:

• Greenhouse whiteflies 
• Tobacco whiteflies in the third and fourth larval stages.
• Use En-Strip preventively and at the first sign of pest presence.

Application Instructions

• Open the package carefully inside the greenhouse
• Bend and tear off the strips opposite the mounting hole.
• Suspend the cards in the crop, if possible, approximately 75 cm under the plant head.
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Do not touch the pupae

The dosage of En-Strip or Enermix depends on climate, crop and whitefly density and should always be adjusted to the particular situation. Start the introduction preventively soon after planting the crop. Introduction rates typically range from 1-10 per m2/release. Releases should be repeated until control is achieved. At higher temperatures, it may be better to switch to Enermix or Ercal. 

Best conditions for Encarsia formosa

The parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa is most effective at temperatures between 20°C and 25°C (68 and 77°F). At a 24-hour average temperature below 17°C/63°F the control of whiteflies may be insufficient.

What to Expect Upon Arrival

This product arrives on cardboard strips/cards containing parasitized whitefly pupae, not as loose flying wasps. Adult Encarsia emerge after the cards are hung in the crop. Handle cards carefully and avoid touching the pupae.

Important Notes

We import most biological controls fresh to help ensure customers receive active, viable beneficial insects, mites, and nematodes. Because these are living products with limited shelf life, we do not keep most biologicals stocked in-house.

Please inspect your package and product immediately upon arrival, before release. If you have any concerns about condition or viability, contact us before releasing at admin@optimizeorganics.ca with your order number and clear photos of the package and product. Once beneficials have been released, it becomes much more difficult for us to assess their condition on arrival.

Biological pest control is rarely a one-and-done release. In most active pest situations, sequential releases are needed to build and maintain beneficial populations while pest eggs continue to hatch and existing pest pressure is reduced.

Avoid spraying pesticides, oils, soaps, or other residues immediately before or after release unless compatibility has been confirmed, as these may harm beneficials.