Adalia bipunctata

Type

Predator (ladybird)

Target pests

• Aphids

Notes

Highly effective aphid predator, often used in hotspots or conservation systems.

IPM positioning

Curative predator; useful for visible aphid outbreaks but less suited to preventative establishment.

Best deployment strategy

• Best used as a ‘clean-up’ predator for visible aphid outbreaks.
• Target release onto infested plants; results are fastest where aphid density is high.
• Works best as part of a programme with parasitoids/other predators maintaining background control.

Compatibility notes

• Works well with: Aphidius Colemani / Aphidius Ervi (parasitoids maintain background control; ladybirds accelerate clean-up).
• Note: in heavy outbreaks, predators may consume parasitised aphids as well; not usually a problem in practice if the aim is suppression.

Environmental preferences

• Predator activity increases with warmth and prey availability.
• Performs poorly if conditions are too cool for flight/foraging or if prey is scarce.