Augmentative Releases for Aphid Control on Landscape Plants

This report summarizes the findings of four augmentative releases of insect predators, lady beetles and lacewings, for controlling aphids on landscape plants. Releases of the convergent lady beetle and seven spotted lady beetle reduced populations of spirea aphid on firethorn when dispersal was limited. Neither species of lady beetle reduced populations of woolly aphids on firethorn. A field release of convergent lady beetles was followed by reduced aphid populations on Elaeagnus in a landscape. Releases of lacewings on stonecrop and hawthorn provided no evidence of reductions in aphid populations. Some impediments to the success of augmentative releases in landscapes are discussed.