USE: The Encarsia formosa is a parasite of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, a pest of many plants in interior plantscapes and outdoor gardens. Greenhouse white fly are typically found on poinsettias, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and other plants that stay fairly close to the ground. RELEASE: The Encarsia should be released as soon as possible, preferably when it is sunny and warm. Remove cards from container, separate along perforations, and hang on branches of plants in areas where white flies are present. If release must be delayed, keep the package out of sunlight and store at 40 to 50 degrees. LIFE CYCLE: The Encarsia formosa are actually tiny wasps, about the size of a pencil dot, and they are completely harmless to people and pets. They attack only immature whitefly, called white fly scale. They do this by laying their eggs inside the scale. The eggs hatch, feed, and mature inside the scale, thereby killing it and turning it black. This takes 20 to 25 days. Then they emerge as adults, mate, and immediately begin parasitizing more white fly scale. They continue laying eggs during their 10 day adult life. RECOMMENDATIONS: Be sure to release the Encarsia at the FIRST SIGNS of white fly. If the white fly population is already high, reduce it with insecticidal soap before releasing the Encarsia. Since the Encarsia life cycle is about 30 days, most effective results are obtained when 3 releases are made at 1 week intervals. This way you have a constant force of Encarsia adults, and the offspring of the first release will be emerging about the time the adults from the last release are declining. COVERAGE: Release at a rate of about 1 Encarsia per square foot of planted area, or 1 to 3 per plant, whichever is higher. There are at least 60 Encarsia on each card, 5 cards per strip. GENERAL INFORMATION: Whitefly scales are white and are usually found on the underside of leaves. After they are parasitized, they turn black, and in a few more days, the adult Encarsia emerge from a small hole that you can see if you look carefully. Contains a package of 5 Encarsia "cards" described below: The white cards have black, parasitized, scales inside the circle. The Encarsia should begin emerging 2 to 10 days after receipt. The cards do not change in appearance after hatching. To verify hatching, use a magnifying glass or microscope to see the holes in the blackened scales on the card. IMPORTANT NOTICE-PLEASE READ!!!: Most live beneficial insect, snail and worm orders received before Thursday noon, are processed on the following Friday and shipped out the following Monday or Tuesday via UPS. After that time, they are sent in the next week's batch. They are not sent from this location, they are sent from the rearing facilities. Rush orders cannot be accepted for live insects. Expect a 10-14 day delivery for most shipments. If you do not live in the Western U.S., it is recommended you choose UPS 3 day delivery or better. IF YOU LIVE EAST OF THE ROCKIES AND HAVE NOT CHOSEN UPS 3 DAY OR FASTER, WE WILL AUTOMATICALLY SEND IT THAT WAY AND YOU WILL BE CHARGED EXTRA FOR THAT METHOD. There will still be the same 1-2 week wait for them to be sent out, but they will go by the recommended method. Multiple orders which include live insects with other merchandise such as toys and candy, may have additional shipping and handling fees added to cover the additional cost of two shipments. The merchandise (other than the live animals) will be sent ground, the live insects will be sent 3 day or better. Live insects may only be shipped within the Continental United States (may not be shipped to Hawaii) unless you provide an import permit from your Agriculture Dept.. |
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| If temperatures are hot in your area, and you have ordered live insects, it is recommended that you choose a cold pack during hot weather and choose an EXPRESS shipping method or we will delay your shipping. These ice packs will not stay cold longer than a day. The insects can cook to death if they are left outside in the heat. These packs are also good for keeping your chocolate orders cool. |
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| (310) 318-1389 We offer secure online ordering. RealCoolToys.com has a $25.00 minimum purchase requirement for phone orders. Even though we don't have a minimum for online orders, we kindly request your purchase (not including shipping) be $15.00 to $20.00 to cover the cost of paying our staff and meeting our many other expenses. Thank you. PLEASE READ our "Answers to your questions" page: realcooltoys.com/info for our usual shipping methods, process times and return policy BEFORE you place your order. Placement of your order means that you have read and understand our shipping policies. ********IMPORTANT********* If you are ordering live insects, they will be sent within our availability time as stated on the description page (shipped out only on Mondays or Tuesdays, regardless of your shipping choice). Please choose the correct method of shipping for your area. Remember you must choose Express (least expensive of faster methods) or Next Day if you live in a very cold, or very hot area. (Priority is OK if the weather is mild). You must also make sure you are home to receive them or have made OTHER arrangements so they are brought indoors immediately. They will die if left outdoors in the elements. You must also order a heat pack or cold pack (depending on weather) for live ants orders.******** E-MAIL : realcooltoys@kathyscritters.com
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