PREDATORY MITES
Predatory mite, Order Acarina attack spider mites, thrips, springtails and fungus gnat larvae. Adult mites are about half a millimeter in length, and are beige to reddish beige and are known for their speed. No need to attract these mites since you probably already have some but don't kill them with harmful insecticides. They can be bought at many garden stores. Low humidity can restrict their activity.
Here are four predatory mites:
1. Phytoseiulus persimilis
Probably the most widely used predatory mite.
Perhaps the most widely used beneficial insect in crop production in greenhouses.
P. persimilis is used in biological control programs for two-spotted spider mites-all Tetranychus species.
P. persimilis has been in commercial use for more than 30 years.
The mites are predators as nymphs and adults, mostly feeding on spider mite eggs and nymphs, but also eating adults.
Survival is poor if prey is in short supply after nearly eliminating the spider mites. You may need to re-introduce the predatory mites to the area again.
They do best at warm temperatures of 70-85 degrees F and higher relative humidity around 60% where they will develop faster than its' prey.
The mites will not perform well in cold or hot, or in very low humidity.
2. Neoseiulus (Amblyseius)cucumeris
This mite is used to control thrips, including the western flower thrips.
First step thrips larvae are the main food source, later thrip larvae are not.
N. cucumeris can also feed on other mites like cyclamen and broad mites as well as pollen.
N. cucumeris do best at temperatures between 66 and 80 degrees F, and at a relative humidity of about 70%.
Predators must be introduced before thrips appear in large numbers for best control,.
A very large amount of mites are needed for controlling the predators but usually the price is low.
3. Iphiseius degenerans
Also known as the dark mite because it is dark brown in color.
Appears to be a bit more aggressive than N. cucumeris in attacking thrips. and will move into flowers in greater numbers.
These predators are huge among other mites.
I. degenerans will also feed on spider mites and pollen.
The best conditions for the predators are temperatures between 65 - 85 degrees F, and relative humidities between 60 - 85%.
Some growers rear their I. degenerans on castor bean plants.
4. Hypoaspis miles
These are predators that live in soil and feed on thrips pre-pupae and pupae, as well as fungus gnat larvae and springtails.
H. miles adults range in color from tan to brown.
Since they have a wide range of food, they can become established and persist for long periods.
When we introduce these mites they are under benches, over pots and live under growing media of the plant. Thus they escape many pesticides.
They move around at night.
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