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Predatory mite as a natural enemy

The predatory mite is the natural enemy of, for example the spider mite and can thus be used as a biological agent. There are different kinds of predatory mite. One species can only be used against spider mite, but there are other species that (additionally) have one or more other natural enemies. Below an overview is shown of the different kinds of predatory mites, the way they work and the pest that they can be used to control.
Predatory mite
Kevin van Kester
Product specialist Quality Controller | 11 September 2022 | 4 min. reading time 
  • Phytoseiulus persimilis is used to control spider mite. A fertilized female will lay her eggs in or near a spider mite colony. In case of proper conditions, the population of the predatory mite will there for grow faster than that of the spider mite.
Take a look at the Phytoseiulus and how you can use this natural enemy.   
  • Amblyseius californicus is used to control spider mite. This predatory mite can be used in different crops and is resistant to high temperatures and low relative humidity. Since they can live on a diet of pollen, it is also possible to preventively use the predatory mite in pollen-containing crops.
  • Amblyseius andersoni is used to control spider mite. In addition, Andersoni will develop on pollen and thrips. This predatory mite is well-resistant to high temperatures and/or low humidity and is as such very suitable to be used along the walls in the greenhouse.
  • Amblyseius cucumeris is used to control thrips. Apart from thrips this predatory mite can also survive on pollen and can thus be used preventively in pollen producing crops. It doesn’t cause additional damage to the crop or flowers. The predatory mite predominantly eats the first larval stage of the thrips. In addition, it has a strong side-effect on the spider mite. Due to its short lifecycle it can quickly multiply.
  • Amblyseius swirskii, a.k.a. swirski mite, is used to control white fly, thrips and spider mite. In addition, this mite can develop on vegetable foods like pollen and vegetable saps and will therefore easily settle in the crop.
  • Transeius montdorensis is used to control white fly, thrips and soft-skin mites. Other than on this wide-ranging diet, this predatory mite will also survive on pollen and as such it has the opportunity to settle in large number of crops. In the thrips-control, the Transeius montdorensis has the advantage that it will eat both the first and the second thrips larval stage. 
  • Amblyseius Barkeri is used to control soft-skin mites. Each mite can devour up to 4 young thrips larvae per day. The mites will not eat adult thrips or thrips in the last larva stage. Amblyseius barkeri will eat all stages of the soft-skin mites.
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Predatory mite as a natural enemy

The predatory mite is the natural enemy of, for example the spider mite and can thus be used as a biological agent. There are different kinds of predatory mite. One species can only be used against spider mite, but there are other species that (additionally) have one or more other natural enemies. Below an overview is shown of the different kinds of predatory mites, the way they work and the pest that they can be used to control.
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Kevin van Kester Productspecialist Quality Controller
Kevin van Kester
Specialist Quality Controller | September 11, 2022 | 4 min. reading time 
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Predatory mite
  • Phytoseiulus persimilis is used to control spider mite. A fertilized female will lay her eggs in or near a spider mite colony. In case of proper conditions, the population of the predatory mite will there for grow faster than that of the spider mite.
Take a look at the Phytoseiulus and how you can use this natural enemy.   
  • Amblyseius californicus is used to control spider mite. This predatory mite can be used in different crops and is resistant to high temperatures and low relative humidity. Since they can live on a diet of pollen, it is also possible to preventively use the predatory mite in pollen-containing crops.
  • Amblyseius andersoni is used to control spider mite. In addition, Andersoni will develop on pollen and thrips. This predatory mite is well-resistant to high temperatures and/or low humidity and is as such very suitable to be used along the walls in the greenhouse.
  • Amblyseius cucumeris is used to control thrips. Apart from thrips this predatory mite can also survive on pollen and can thus be used preventively in pollen producing crops. It doesn’t cause additional damage to the crop or flowers. The predatory mite predominantly eats the first larval stage of the thrips. In addition, it has a strong side-effect on the spider mite. Due to its short lifecycle it can quickly multiply.
  • Amblyseius swirskii, a.k.a. swirski mite, is used to control white fly, thrips and spider mite. In addition, this mite can develop on vegetable foods like pollen and vegetable saps and will therefore easily settle in the crop.
  • Transeius montdorensis is used to control white fly, thrips and soft-skin mites. Other than on this wide-ranging diet, this predatory mite will also survive on pollen and as such it has the opportunity to settle in large number of crops. In the thrips-control, the Transeius montdorensis has the advantage that it will eat both the first and the second thrips larval stage. 
  • Amblyseius Barkeri is used to control soft-skin mites. Each mite can devour up to 4 young thrips larvae per day. The mites will not eat adult thrips or thrips in the last larva stage. Amblyseius barkeri will eat all stages of the soft-skin mites.
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Kevin van Kester will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Kevin van Kester Productspecialist Quality Controller
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