Ladybird Larvae (Adalia Bipunctata) Box of 250 - Live Aphid Predators for Fast Hotspot Control
Best for: growers dealing with an established aphid infestation who want a fast-acting, chemical-free predator to knock numbers down quickly.
Our thoughts
Worth being clear: this is a box of live insects, not a bottle of feed, so treat it that way. Get them out of the box and onto your aphid hotspots as soon as they arrive, don't let the box sit around. The larval stage is genuinely the most aggressive aphid-eater you can buy, which is exactly why growers reach for these once aphids are already established rather than just starting to appear.
This box contains 250 live larvae of Adalia bipunctata, the native UK two-spot ladybird, supplied as a biological control agent for aphid infestations. Aphids damage crops by draining sap and weakening plants, excreting honeydew that leads to sooty mould, and in some cases spreading plant viruses, so getting on top of a colony early matters. The larval stage is the most voracious life stage of the ladybird's life cycle, and unlike adult ladybirds, larvae can't fly off your plants, so they stay put and keep feeding where you release them.
Because this is a live product, timing matters. Supplier guidance for Adalia bipunctata (sold by biological control specialists including Koppert and Bioline, who supply this species) recommends releasing 5 to 10 larvae per plant for a light infestation, or 10 to 20 per plant for a heavy one, repeating applications every one to two weeks until numbers are under control. Adult ladybirds that develop from these larvae can go on to eat up to around 100 aphids a day. Release the larvae as soon as possible after they arrive rather than storing them, and keep them out of direct sun and extreme temperatures in the meantime.
How it compares
There are several biological routes to aphid control, each with a different speed and method.
- Adult ladybirds can also be bought as a biological control, but they're mobile and will readily fly away from the release area, whereas larvae stay put and feed where placed.
- Lacewing larvae are another common aphid predator with a broader prey range, useful alongside ladybird larvae rather than instead of them in a mixed IPM programme.
- Chemical aphicides work faster on paper but kill beneficial insects indiscriminately, which undermines any wider biological control programme you're running.
For a targeted, fast-acting hit on an existing aphid hotspot that won't wipe out other beneficials in the room, ladybird larvae are one of the more effective biological options.
Usage guidance
These are live insects, so handling and timing matter more than with any bottled product.
On arrival
Release as soon as possible after the box arrives. Don't leave live larvae sealed in packaging longer than necessary, and keep them out of direct sunlight and temperature extremes until release.
Where to release
Place larvae directly onto or near visible aphid colonies rather than scattering them evenly across the room, they need to find food quickly to establish.
Rate of release
General supplier guidance for this species is 5 to 10 larvae per plant for a light infestation and 10 to 20 per plant for a heavy one; a box of 250 will cover a proportionate number of plants at these rates.
Repeat treatment
Monitor aphid numbers and repeat the release every one to two weeks if the infestation hasn't cleared, rather than assuming a single release will finish the job.
Technical specifications
- Species: Adalia bipunctata (native UK two-spot ladybird)
- Life stage supplied: Larvae
- Quantity: 250 per box
- Target pest: Aphids
- Adult feeding capacity: Up to approx. 100 aphids/day
- Product type: Live biological control agent
- Handling: Release promptly on arrival, avoid direct sun and temperature extremes
Who this is for
- Growers with a visible, established aphid infestation who need a fast knock-down
- IPM programmes already using other beneficials that need an aphid-specific predator
- Growers wanting to avoid chemical aphicides that would harm other biological controls in use
- Anyone who can release the larvae promptly on arrival rather than leaving them boxed
Not the right product if you can't release them within a day or so of delivery, being live insects, they need to go onto the plants promptly to be effective.
Our take
This is a proper biological control product, not a feeding or nutrient item, and it needs handling like one: release promptly, target the hotspots, and repeat if needed. Done that way, larval-stage Adalia bipunctata is one of the more effective, fast-acting aphid predators available.
Does exactly what it should when released correctly and promptly, a solid choice for growers who already know they've got an aphid problem to solve.
