Delphastus catalinae - Whitefly Control

$28.00

SKU:

TARGET PESTS

Scientific Name: Delphastus catalinae

Most Whitefly species including Greenhouse, Banded-Winged, Sweet Potato, Silverleaf, Woolly, Azalea, Hibiscus, Citrus, Rhododendron, & more.

Also preys on Citrus Blackfly, Spider Mites, Aphids, & more when Whiteflies are scarce.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

SHIPPED FRESH & QUALITY GUARANTEED

Great choice for an active infestation due to its high consumption rate. Combine with Encarsia formosa for total control.

Delphastus, also known as the whitefly predator beetle, is a highly effective predator targeting whiteflies and other small arthropods. With a dome-shaped body, adults measure about 1.5-2 mm in length, featuring brown or black wing covers with a shiny metallic appearance. Females lay eggs near whitefly colonies, which hatch into larvae within days, voraciously feeding on whitefly eggs, nymphs, and pupae. After pupation, they emerge as hungry adults, continuing their predatory behavior. Agile and quick, Delphastus beetles excel in high whitefly population situations and can consume up to 10,000 whitefly eggs each. Unlike some predators, they do not hibernate during fall and winter, allowing year-round utilization both indoors and outdoors. They complement other predators like Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus for light to moderate infestations, making them a valuable asset in biological pest control. Females can lay several hundred eggs over a 2-month lifespan.

CROPS

CROPS
Vegetable Crops
Soft Fruit Crops
Ornamental Crops

USAGES
Greenhouses
Interiorscapes
Field Crops
Gardens
Orchards

INTRODUCTION RATES

1-5 beetles per 10 sq. ft., weekly, 3-4 times
Or 100 beetles per "hot spot"
Temperature Range: 50-90°F
Humidity: 60%+

It's important to note that these introduction rates serve as general guidelines and can differ depending on the specific pest species, the plant being treated, and level of infestation. Proper monitoring of the infestation and the released beneficial insect population is crucial for determining the success of the biological control strategy.
APPLICATION
Gently disperse insects onto infested plants. Leave open container in place for 24 hours to allow any remaining insects to be released.
PRO TIPS
  • GOOD BUG DIET
    Maintaining your growing operation relies on well-fed beneficial insects as your natural defenders. By providing dependable food sources, you enhance their strength and effectiveness. Learn more here.

  • For complete whitefly control, use in conjunction with Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus.

  • Great choice for active infestations due to its high consumption rate.
  • Pesticides, even-wetting agents, and spreader-stickers may adversely affect beneficial insect survival. Broad spectrum and systemic insecticides are toxic.

  • Depending on the size and type of plants, the number and type of pests, other predator and parasite populations, and temperature, the frequency of releases may be affected.

     

STORAGE

For best results, introduce immediately upon receipt. If storage is necessary, store at 39-46°F for no longer than 48 hours. Store out of direct sunlight. Do not freeze.

DISCLAIMER

STORE POLICIES

Thank you for shopping with us! Before placing an order, please review our policies on Shipping & Processing, Live Delivery Guarantee, and Returns/Replacements. By completing your purchase, you agree to these terms.

We do not provide recommendations on pesticide use. Any product purchased is intended for home use only and not for commercial use.

LIVE DELIVERY GUARANTEE

At NaturesGoodGuys, we are committed to delivering healthy, high-quality beneficial insects to support your gardening success. If your insects arrive non-viable, contact us within 48 hours of delivery at info@naturesgoodguys.com with your order number and a detailed description of the issue. Photos of the insects and packaging may be required. Our team will assess the situation and work toward a suitable resolution.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

  • The "Live Delivery Guarantee applies only to the condition of the insects upon delivery and does not cover loss due to incorrect storage or later perish-ability.
  • We evaluate eligibility on a a case-by-case basis, considering factors like species, hatching times, and temperature conditions.
  • Replacements are processed and shipped on Wednesdays & Thursdays only.

UPON DELIVERY

  • Open your package immediately and check for storage instructions. Some insects require refrigeration, and improper storage voids the guarantee.
  • Ice packs are not expected to remain frozen upon arrival—they are only used to help regulate temperature and moisture during transit.
  • Some insects may appear inactive at first. Allow time for them to adjust before assessing viability. Many species require magnification to be seen clearly. 

SHIPPING CONSIDERATIONS

  • Some species or quantities have limited shipping options to ensure short transit times for viability. 
  • If you are concerned about insect health during transit, we recommend selecting overnight shipping to reduce stress and improve survival rates.
SHIPPING & PROCESSING
PROCESSING TIME
Orders placed by 12 PM PT may be eligible for same-day processing when possible. However, please allow 1-3 business days for processing, as product availability may vary. While we strive to process orders as quickly as possible, same-day processing is not guaranteed.
We do not ship to PO BOX addresses.
OVERNIGHT ORDERS
Ship Monday - Thursday (excluding holidays).
SECOND-DAY ORDERS
Ship Monday - Wednesday (Thursday only if Saturday delivery is available).
USPS ORDERS
Ship Monday - Friday.
SHIPPING OPTIONS
At checkout, you can select from a variety of shipping methods, including Overnight and Second-Day Shipping. However, choosing an expedited shipping method does not guarantee same-day shipment—transit time begins once your order has been processed and in the hands of the mail carrier. Some insects require Overnight shipping due to their viability timeline.
HARVEST DELAYS

We do our best to keep all products in stock, but nature doesn’t always follow our schedule! Because we work with the natural reproductive cycles of living organisms, occasional delays may occur.

Some insects are harvested on specific days, and at times, a harvest may be delayed. If this happens, we will ship your order as soon as possible and notify you via email or phone if there is a significant delay.

SEASONAL & WEATHER DELAYS
Extreme weather and seasonal conditions can impact shipping times and the viability of live insects. To ensure the best possible arrival, we may delay shipments during severe heat waves, cold spells, or other extreme conditions. If your order is affected, we will hold it temporarily and ship when conditions improve. You will be notified via email or phone if there is a significant delay.

CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS 
Due to our high order volume, any changes or cancellations must be requested within 30 minutes of placing your order. If your order has already entered production, we will do our best to accommodate your request, but we cannot guarantee modifications or cancellations at that stage.

RETURNS & REPLACEMENTS
If you receive an item that is damaged, defective, or incorrect, please contact us immediately upon receiving your shipment so we can resolve the issue. Replacements may be issued if the order qualifies under our Live Delivery Guarantee. Eligibility is determined by our customer support team.

WHEN REPLACEMENTS ARE NOT COVERED
While we are happy to replace damaged, lost, or incorrect packages, we cannot replace orders in the following situations:

INCORRECT SHIPPING INFORMATION

  • If an incorrect address was entered at checkout, we cannot replace the order.
  • If you notice an address error before your order has been processed, contact us immediately so we can attempt to correct it.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW STORAGE & USE INSTRUCTIONS

  • Each order includes detailed instructions on proper storage and use, which are also available on our website.
  • Failure to follow these instructions, or using a product incorrectly, may result in unsatisfactory results. 
  • Our customer service team will assess whether proper handling steps were followed before considering a claim.

DELAYED PACKAGE RETRIEVAL 

  • If a package is left outside, in a mailbox, or returned to the post office due to the recipient being unavailable at delivery, this can stress or kill live insects. 
  • We do not replace orders that perish due to delayed retrieval.
  • Tracking information is provided for all shipments—please ensure you are available to receive your order.