Neoseiulus/Amblyseius cucumeris Thrips Predator

Neoseiulus/Amblyseius cucumeris Thrips Predator

Thrips Predator, Neoseiulus/Amblyseius cucumeris is a tan colored mite, approximately 0.5 mm long. The female lays her eggs on the plants. The small, white eggs hatch into larvae that molt into nymphs in approximately 2 days. During the next 7-10 days, the nymphs will feed on thrips. Once the mite reaches adulthood, it will consume one thrip per day. Adults live up to 30 days; females can lay up to 35 eggs during that time. The mite can be found on the underside of the leaves, along the veins or inside the flowers. The mites feed on pollen as well, so a supplement of ARBICO Good Bug Power Meal will help ensure that your thrips predators stay where they're needed.

Preferred food:

These predatory mites prefer Greenhouse and Western Flower Thrips. They will also eat spider mites and pollen.

Shipment, biology and release:

Predators are shipped as adults. Release the mites when thrips populations are low (monitor with with sticky blue or yellow traps), and allow several weeks for results. Ideal conditions are 66-80 °F and a relative humidity of 65-72 percent.

Apply Amblyseius cucumeris to lightly misted leaves. Focus applying to most heavily infested areas first. They are most effective when the plant leaves are touching. Early application at first sign of thrips provides best results. Moisture and humidity help the eggs to hatch. Success also depends on availability of alternate food sources such as Good Bug Power Meal.

This Product Controls These Pests or Diseases: Bean Thrips (Caliothrips fasciatus), Spider Mites, Thrips (Franklinothrips sp), Western Flower Thrips.

N. cucumeris 50,000 in vermiculite is popular for use with modified battery operated blowers.

Preventative Release Rates - N. cucumeris work best when used preventatively.

• Shaker Tubes in Vermiculite/Bran: 10-20 mites per sq. ft. or 100-200 per square meter. Make weekly broadcast applications.
• Sachets w/ Holes: Use one sachet per square meter or one per 3 sq. ft. Repeat applications every 4-6 weeks.

Spot Treatment Release Rates (Acute Treatment) - Use when isolated areas of pest pressure are present. Use mite predators in bran or vermiculite, not sachet releases.

• 10-40 mites per sq. ft. 100-400 N. cucumeris per square meter. Apply weekly in broadcast applications until pest issues have subsided.

Release Instructions: Make sure the crop and floor are dry when applying sachets.

• Sachets w/ Holes: Open the shipping box of the sachets in the crop. Separate the individual sachets. Do not hang adjacent to heating pipes. Hang inside plant canopy where possible with emergence hole on the underside. Predatory mites emerge from the sachets for 3-6 weeks.
• Shaker Tubes (In Bran and Vermiculite): Shake small quantities of predatory mites onto crop where pest pressure is heaviest. Lightly misting plants before releases are made can help mites establish themselves and aid overall effectiveness of N. cucumeris.

Environment:

Outdoors, Crops, Orchards & Vineyards, Nursery, Greenhouse, Grow Room, Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Pond & Environment, Interiorscapes, and Container Plants.

Storage:

Use within 18 hours of receipt. If not releasing immediately, keep in a cool dark place out of direct sunlight. Do not refrigerate. Slightly moist and humid. Store where temps are between 66 - 80 °F and relative humidity is between 65 - 72% RH.

Warning & Toxicities:

Do not use adjacent to heating pipes.

Shelf Life:

Use within 18 hours of receipt.

Shipping Information:

• Ships via Overnight shipping methods only. This does not take processing time into account. Overnight Shipping refers to the time frame for delivery after the shipment date.
• Orders ship on Tuesdays only.
• Order by Tuesday for shipment the following Tuesday. 7-day minimum processing time prior to shipment.
• Cannot Be Shipped To: HI, PR, VI, GU, AS, or PW.

Certain sizes of this product are shipped in specially designed, water resistant sachets that contain colonies of predators. The sachets contain approximately 250 predators each. The colonies will continue to breed inside their sachets once placed into crops. In addition, the sachets allow for controlled release, continued predator emergence, can be used indoors/outdoors, and with overhead irrigation.

Sachets will be active for about 2-4 weeks depending on infestation level and predator establishment. Keep out of direct sunlight, store in a cool place, but do not refrigerate.

What's In The Package:

• All sachets are packed with a mixture of immature and adult N. cucumeris. This ensures ongoing release from sachets for 2-4 weeks after placement.
• Bran and Vermiculite mixes are packed with adult N. cucumeris ready to feed on active mite populations.