Rhyzobug – ready to deal with armored scales

Koppert is introducing a species of ladybird – Rhyzobius lophanthae – that will help growers control various types of armored scales in their crops. The species is proving to be effective in several crops including orchids, palms, citrus, ornamentals, and avocado.

Armored scales suck cell sap in fruit trees and berries that eventually result in defoliation and the dying back of twigs or larger branches. To prevent this, Rhyzobug can be applied both in greenhouses and in outdoor crops to control a wide range of harmful scale insects.

Product Manager Jenette Douma: ‘Our colleagues at Koppert Spain have been instrumental in making this product effective for outdoor cultivation. We have increased the volume of Rhyzobug from 250 to 500 ladybirds and changed the packaging from a plastic bottle to a more sustainable cardboard tube which is more suitable for agriculture.’

• It reduces the number of pesticide applications
• Makes it easier to comply with the pesticide blacklist in the value chain
• Contributes to a healthier end product
• Environmentally friendly and improves biodiversity
• Controls different species of armored scales effectively
• Easy to apply
• Easy to combine with other natural enemies
• Both adults and larvae predate on armored-scale insects

Rhyzobug has a wide host range and predates on the oleander scale, rose scale, and Californian red scale, amongst others. ‘It’s really easy to apply,’ Jenette Douma assures. ‘You need to start introduction as soon as the first armored scales are detected. You apply it in the evening and tap the beetles directly onto the plants based on 500-3000/ha (for outdoor cultivation) in several applications depending on the degree of infestation.’

If armored scales are a concern for your crop, and you want to learn how Rhyzobug can make a difference, don’t hesitate to contact your nearest Koppert consultant. They’ll provide personalized advice to meet your specific needs.