BioBestrijding | Predatory mites against Sciarid fly ~ Hypoaspis Miles

BioBestrijding predatory mite against sciarid fly

Attention! This product consists of live animals and is only available for order in the Netherlands or Belgium. If you order more than just Bio Fight, there will be an additional charge of € 7.95 due to dropshipping from the supplier.

For a preventive control of sciarid fly, we supply the Hypoaspis miles (Stratiolaelaps scimitus) predatory mite. The Hypoaspis miles is a soil-dwelling predatory mite that controls a wide range of insects. This predatory mite lives in the upper soil layer up to 4 cm deep and can move quickly through the soil layer and feels at home in moist (potting) soil. The Hypoaspis targets primarily the eggs, larvae and pupae of sciarid flies (Sciaridae), with a preference for smaller larvae. The Hypoaspis does not work against the already present adults. Because the Hypoaspis targets the eggs and young thrips in the soil, this predatory mite is especially suitable as a preventative measure against sciarid flies.

Way of life Hypoaspis Miles

An adult Hypoaspis predatory mite lives for about 6 weeks and is active at temperatures from 10 C to 28 C. The sex ratio is equal to 1:1, females and males. If there is enough to eat, the females lay eggs frequently. The eggs hatch within 2-3 days and the young Hypoaspis nymphs are born. These young nymphs are fierce predators immediately after birth consuming eggs, larvae and pupae of sciarid flies. Each adult Stratiolaelaps can consume 1 to 5 prey items per day. The Hypoaspis population can also survive in the absence of pests. In that case, they feed on algae and plant debris. However, if necessary, the Hypoaspis miles population can also go without food for up to 7 weeks by going into a resting phase.

Quantity of predatory mites needed?

These predatory mites are delivered in a package with scatter material containing eggs, young and adult predatory mites. A package with 2500 predatory mites is sufficient for about 10 square meters depending on how much you suffer from sciarid flies. We generally recommend 250 to 500 predatory mites per square meter. After one to two weeks it is good to give a maintenance dose of another 250 pieces per square meter. If thrips are already present you can choose to increase the dose to 500 pieces per square meter.

Air humidity and temperature

Optimal humidity is between 60% and 70%. The Hypoaspis predatory mites are active from 10 degrees but only come into action at a soil temperature of 15 degrees. The optimum temperature is between 20 and 30 degrees. 26 degrees is the most ideal for the development.

Instructions

• Introduce Hypoaspis miles preventively or as soon as possible after the first appearance of sciarid flies.
• Upon receipt, release as soon as possible, predatory mites are not durable.
• Open the bag containing the litter and predatory mites. Spread the material evenly over the (slightly) damp soil/ground of the plants.
• It is advisable to leave the package in the room for a few days (approx. two days) so that the eggs and predatory mites that are left behind have a chance to develop.

Storage advice

Biological beneficials are living animals and have a (very) short lifespan. They should therefore be introduced into the crop as soon as possible after receipt. Storage can negatively influence the quality and is only possible under the conditions mentioned below.

• Storage life: 1-2 days
• Storage temperature: 8-10C
• Store in the dark and flat