Biocultivation

Amblysieus cucumeris (=Neoseiulus cucumeris) is a predatory mite shipped in bran carrier. Targets western flower thrips, onion thrips, and to a lesser extent, spider, cyclamen and broad mites. Nymph and adult stages feed on immature stages of thrips, so a decrease in adult thrips populations will show 3 weeks or so after release. Adults also feed on twospotted spider mites and their eggs. Cucumeris takes 3-4 weeks to establish, so it should be applied before thrips populations appear. Cucumeris also feeds on pollen as an alternate food source. Ideal conditions are 66°-80° F, 65-72% RH. Day lengths less than 12.5 hours with night temperatures less than 70° F induce diapause unless supplemental light is provided.

Shipped Wednesday, order by previous Friday

Stratiolaelaps simitus / Hypoaspis miles is a predatory mite that eats larva of fungus gnat. Also feeds on western flower thrips (WFT) pupae and springtail (especially in house plants). Lives in top layer of soil, feeds on small, soil-inhabiting insects, mites and all stages of springtails. Can adapt to many different growth media and capillary mats. No diapause: can be used year round. Active at temps > 54° F . Can survive low pest densities. Helps clean up greenhouses and mushroom production, as well as controlling mites on tarantulas, lizards and bees. Should not be applied to soil that has been treated with lime or copper sulfate mixtures. Atheta is a predator of Stratiolaelaps simitus; Stratiolaelaps simitus eats nematodes, good and bad. 10-13 L per acre OR 50 mites per 10 sq ft. Twice monthly, 2-5 times overall. Most effective applied prior to heavy infestations and for end of crop clean-up.

Shipped Wednesday, order by previous Friday

Orius insidiosus, or the Minute Pirate Bug, is a general predator that targets thrips, mite, aphid, small caterpillars & other soft-bodied insects. Favorable conditions are moderate temperatures around 59° F, RH > 60%. Diapause occurs with day lengths < 12.5-14 hours. Orius can’t survive without prey or pollen, so it is best to release Orius after thrips populations have become established or when pollen is also available. If prey is abundant, Orius will kill more thrips than it needs to survive. If Cucumeris has been released prior to Orius, Orius will feed on Cucumeris to become established. Cucumeris populations will decline briefly and then recover as thrips populations decline. 250-5,000 per acre OR 1-2 per 40 sq ft OR 1-4 per plant. Orius should be released in two applications, two weeks apart, to overlap the adult and immature life stages.

Shipped Wednesday, order by previous Friday.

Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (= H. heliothedis) targets white grubs, cucumber, scarab, Colorado potato, Japanese and flea beetles, chafer, thrips, white grub, corn root worm, billbug, black vine weevil, root mealybug. Best used at 68°- 86°F.  

Release once every 3-6 weeks for infestations OR once every 60 days as a preventive. 1 million per 60 sq ft OR 1 billion per acre OR for pre-treating potting soil, 1-2 million per cu yd.

100% pure cold-pressed neem seed (Azadiracta indica) oil that makes a great plant wash. Contains azadirachtin and other phytochemicals that act as natural insect growth regulators and anti-feedants.

Dilute 1 part oil to 40 parts water with 1% soap or detergent (3 oz per gal water with 1 oz soap or 2 tsp per pint water with 1 tsp soap) for a plant wash. Spray once a week, 2-3 times.

4 X 7 inch card. Seabright traps fold open to expose 4 X 14 inch sticky blue surface with grid for precision monitoring of thrips and leafminer. Approximately 30 sq inch adhesive area. Punched hole and twist-tie provided to easily hang trap. Easy to handle and count insects without getting sticky. To make more attractive to thrips, add a Thrips Lure (page 32) or drop of vanilla extract.

We carry yellow sticky cards that are sticky on both sides with peel-off coverings. For monitoring, hang every 250 square feet or, to trap emerging fungus gnats, hang horizontally over pots. Yellow attracts many insects including whitefly, winged aphid, shore fly, fungus gnat, leafminer and thrips. Note counts weekly and keep records to observe trends. Blue sticky cards are also available for attracting thrips and leafminer, especially if beneficials are attracted to yellow cards. Large sticky banners also available.