BioBestrijding | Predatory Mite against Spider Mite Preventive ~ Amblyseius Californicus

BioBestrijding Predatory Mite against Spider Mite Preventive

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.

The Phytoseiulus persimilis predatory mite is ideal as a biological spider mite control agent. The Phytoseiulus is a bright red colored predatory mite with high legs and is very mobile. This predatory mite feeds exclusively on spider mites (Tetranychus spp.) And is mainly used when there is already a spider mite infection. An adult Phytoseiulus is a real spider killer and eats about 5-25 prey per day in the form of spider eggs / larvae, nymphs and adult spider mites. The predatory mites actively search for spider mites and suck them empty. Under the right conditions, the predatory mite will develop faster than the spider mites and successfully fight the spider mite. The Phytoseiulus is widely used in many vegetable and ornamental crops such as tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, melon, eggplant, strawberry, string bean, gerbera, rose and various potted plants.

Life Cycle

Eggs from the Phytoseiulus hatch in 2-3 days. Development from egg to adult predatory mite is about 5 days at the optimum temperature. At a lower or higher temperature, this can take up to 25 days. During her 35-day life, an adult female lays 60 eggs. The eggs are oval in shape and about 0.3mm long.

Appearance

The Phytoseiulus is a bright red / orange colored predatory mite and is very mobile. The Phytoseiulus is also nicknamed the red fire brigade. The mite is about 0.5mm in size and has the shape of a tear with long / high legs. Younger specimens are often salmon colored. The Phytoseiulus is easy to distinguish from spider mites and is relatively faster than the spider mite.

Required amount of

We recommend up to 50 Phytoseiulus predatory mites per m2. This can of course deviate if the spider mite infection is high. A pack of 1,000 pieces is sufficient for approximately 200 meters. Repeat the application every 1-2 weeks, depending on the development of the infestation.

Temperature and Humidity

The optimum temperature is between 20 and 27 degrees. At 20 degrees, the predatory mite population multiplies 300 times in 30 days, while at 27 degrees it already exceeds 200,000 times. An optimal temperature is therefore important for effective deployment. The humidity should preferably not fall below 60%. This has a strong influence on the reproduction of the predatory mite.At temperatures above 30C and a humidity of less than 50%, the predatory mites multiply more slowly than the spider mites. In that situation, you must carefully monitor whether the use of the predatory mites has any effect.Briefly spraying the plants several times a day promotes the development and reproduction of predatory mites.

Staking Instructions

• Prevent Phytoseiulus in or at the first appearance of spider mites.
• Release as soon as possible after receipt, predatory mites cannot be kept.
• In spreading form: open the bag and sprinkle it evenly over the plants. If there is a sapwood fire (concentration of sapwood), make sure to turn the material off close to and around the fire.
• Sometimes eggs or predatory mites can remain in the packaging, it is advisable to leave the packaging in the room for a few more days so that the eggs and predatory mites left behind have the opportunity to take action.
• Repeat the application every 2-4 weeks, depending on the development of the infection.
• If the prey dies out, the predatory mite will also die. In that case it may be necessary to turn off the Phytoseiulus again later. For lack of food, this predatory mite can become cannibalistic and eat its kind. It is also possible that he switches to other food sources such as young trips.

Amblyseius Californicus en Phytoseiulus Persimilis mix

A mix of the Phytoseiulus persimilis predatory mite and the Amblyseius californicus predatory mite is a good way to control spider mites for a longer period of time. That is why we can also supply a mix of these two predatory mites. The mix consists of 1000 Phytoseiulus persimilis and 500 Amblyseius californicus. This is sufficient for 200 m2.

The Amblyseius californicus can be used for effective and long-term control of all stages of spider mite (including greenhouse spider mite and fruit spider mite) with preference for the younger stages. In the absence of prey, the A. californicus, unlike the Phytoseiulus, can also survive on the pollen present in the plants. The predatory mite can do without food for a longer period of time and can therefore also be used preventively against spider mites. The ideal mix for effective biological control of spider mites in your plants.

Storage Advice

Biological control agents are live animals and have a (very) short lifespan and must therefore be introduced into the crop as soon as possible after receipt. Storage can affect quality and can only be done under the conditions indicated below.

• Shelf life: 1-2 days
• Storage temperature: 8-10C
• In the dark and store horizontally