Encarsia formosa - Description

Encarsia formosa are tiny parasitoids that despite their relatively short lifespan and very small size, are specifically employed for the biological control of whiteflies. With a black body, clear wings, and measuring a mere 0.5-1mm, Encarsia formosa are hard to see without magnification. Interestingly, these natural predators parasitize whitefly nymphs and pupae rather than eggs, and their predatory companion, Delphastus catalinae, will not feed on whitefly nymphs that have been parasitized by Encarsia formosa. Females can individually lay up to 100 eggs within a 1-2 week lifespan by injecting them inside whitefly nymphs or pupae. In about 3-5 days, the eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on the host through larval development for approximately 7-10 days. When fully developed, the larvae pupate inside the host for about 5-7 days and emerge as adults.