Biological Solutions

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.

Mix biological control agent mix contains the hymenopterous parasites, Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus. It controls the younger larvae of greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, and silverleaf/sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, by host feeding and the older larva by parasitism reproduction.

Orius insidiosus, a general predator also called the minute pirate bug, is an aggressive thrips predator – possibly the most effective. It attacks and kills all mobile stages of thrips, leaf hoppers, including adult thrips and leafhoppers. Orius is aggressive – it consumes 12 thrips per day but kills many more than it eats. Minute pirate bugs are generalist predators of spider mites, aphids, thrips, leafhoppers, psyllids, white flies, insect eggs, and small caterpillars. They actively search for, pierce, and feed on their prey with straw-like mouth parts. Nymphs and adults can eat 30 or more spider mites a day.

Aphidius ervi attack many species of larger aphids such as the green peach aphid and brassica aphids. As brassica aphids are quite common in gardens, you are likely to see this natural enemy in your garden.
Mummies are 1mm in size and a light bronze color. When the adults emerge, they leave exit holes in the mummies.Larvae are not visible as they are living within the aphid.
Adults are tiny wasps, about 3mm long. They have dark wings and gold and black bodies. Adults are identified by the veins on their wing.

Aphidius ervi attack many species of larger aphids such as the green peach aphid and brassica aphids.

A relatively large wasp (twice the size of Aphidius colemani) with a black, slender body with brown legs and long antennae. The female wasp injects an egg in the aphid with her ovipositor. Hatched larvae eat the aphid from the inside leading to the formation of a a golden-yellowish-brown mummy. Finally, a new adult parasitic wasp leaves the mummy through a round hole.

Amblyseius cucumeris is a slow release sachets species of predatory mite that feeds on immature stages of thrips and mites. It also feeds on pollen, two-spotted mites, russet mites, broad mites, cyclamen mites and other species of mites.
Target Pests: Broad mites, Hemp Russet mites, Cyclamen mites, Western flower thrips, Onion thrips, and Bamboo mites. Slow release bags act as miniature breeding units and are hung on plants throughout the greenhouse. Slow release hanging sachets are a great option for preventative maintenance to guard against Mites or Thrips. Simply hang every 4 weeks and these hatching bags will breed your own natural enemies.