Biological Solutions

Amblyseius swirskii is a very effective generalist predatory mite used to suppress immature thrips, two-spotted spider mites, cyclamen mites, broad mites, and whiteflies in ornamental, fruit and garden crops.

The predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus has characteristics of both type II specialist predatory mites and type III generalist predatory mites. Neoseiulus californicus prefers Tetranychid mites as food, but will also consume other mite species, small insects, such as thrips, and even pollen when the primary prey is unavailable. It’s often used to control the twospotted spider mite, and other phytophagous mites on various crops in temperate and subtropical regions around the world. Neoseiulus californicus tolerates high temperatures and low humidity. It targets all stages.

The aphid midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza, is a cecidomyiid fly whose larvae are effective predators of aphids. The predacious larvae of these delicate, 3 mm. mosquito-like midges are best used for controlling substantial populations of more than 60 species of aphids. They feed by biting aphids and paralyzing them with a toxin before sucking out the aphid body fluids. They kill 3-50 aphids per day. Aphidoletes aphidimyza are used to control aphids indoors in commercial greenhouses and interior plantscapes as well as outdoors in orchards, shade trees, roses and home gardens.

Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematodes occur naturally in soil, but not at high enough levels to provide effective pest control. Inundative releases are necessary to reduce insect populations below economic thresholds. In some cases, recycling through host insects will occur to minimize the need for subsequent applications. Some target pests that have been controlled (to varying extents) by H. bacteriophora in field tests are white grubs, Japanese beetle, grubs, northern masked chafer, black vine weevil, strawberry root weevil, citrus root weevil, Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetles, red imported fire ant, several other soil-inhabiting insects, and filth fly maggots in manure.