Predatory mite applications –

Broadcasting vs Sachets

Ronald Valentin

Technical Lead – Bioline North America

RValentin@biolineagrosciences.com

Predatory mite application and rates

Introducing Amblyseius spp predatory mites: choosing the best method for your situation?

• Broadcasting vs breeding systems

• Before 1989 broadcast only

• Mites do not sustain or establish in crops without pollen or prey

• Result weekly application needed to get population high enough at all times

• Release rates:

• 10 – 25 mites per sq. ft.

• Weekly

• Broadcast or blowing

• Cost (labor and material)

Introducing Amblyseius spp predatory mites: choosing the best method for your situation? • Blowing applications Black and Decker and other battery operated devices:

Introducing Amblyseius spp predatory mites: choosing the best method for your situation?

• Breeder piles

• Same product that goes in sachets but packed in bulk

• Longevity shorter compared to sachets

• Cost for smaller pot sizes or plugs

• Rate:

• 2.5 ml – 5 ml per plug/pot

• 50 – 100 mites per pile

What to remember with all predatory mites:

• Predatory mites do not fly mobility is limited

• Distribution IS really important.

• All Amblyseius species are very hard (impossible) to ID in the crop. One exception is Amblyseius degenerans because of its color

• Experience shows that breeding systems (sachets) in general result in more consistent results constant production of mites in the crop EARLY

• Eggs of Amblyseius spp often can be found on leaf hairs

• Phytoseiulus persmilis ONLY feeds on TSSM specialist and very aggressive

• Amblyseius spp are more generalists and many can feed on pollen

Development: Alternative food sources to increase mite levels in the crop Predafix

• What’s in a sachet?

• Bran

• Prey mites

• Food for the prey mites

• Predatory mites

• Culture

Breeding sachets

Amblyline™ mini

Product development Solution/Strategy driven • Finding solution for pest problems listening to industry

• Different crops, different strategies (formulations)

• Development of breeding systems for predatory mites for all crop settings

• Consistently more mites = better results

• 6 to 8 weeks reproduction & release of mites

• Consistently more mites with CRS vs Broadcasting

1989

1991 – CRS sachets 2002 – Gemini sachets 2006 - Bugline

Design of the Amblyline and Swirskiline Stick?

.

1. Fits easily in every seed tray by narrow stick.

2. No fungal growth as stick doesn’t absorb water

3. Hole is protected from water by fold

4. No closure of the hole as stick is decentralized

5. Sachet can’t fall off the stick by fold

6. Easy to recognize by specific paper color and clear description of mite species (lilac = Amblyseius cucumeris, blue is Amblyseius swirskii).

7. Consumer information: “Contents non harmful/ecofriendly!”

8. Water resistant by seals and paper

9. Transparency of product information by QR code for consumer and customer

Crops in trays can be mown as sachet is just 6 cm high

Available with A. cucumeris and A. swirskii

Easy handling as there are strips of 6

6

8

2

1

7

9

4

5 3

Sachets with Predatory Mites Quality check at arrival and longer:

• Take several sachets and run test through sieve

• Sieve takes out most of the bran

• Ratio between predatory mite and bran mite should be 1 to10

• For exact count take exact volume

• Life span of sachet is harder to determine

• Run out test

• Binder clips and sticky cards

• Greenhouse conditions

Storage:

• DO NOT store in low humidity areas Dehydration, Storage temp >60°F/15°C

• Sachet can be stored a bit longer as it is breeder material, however, this will affect their lifespan in the crop Use within 1 week

Orius insidiosus

Sachets with Predatory Mites • Bran mites vs Predatory mites:

Orius insidiosus

Sachets with Predatory Mites • Binder clip placed on sticky card.

• Make sure exit hole does not get pinched

• Shade with mites gets darker in following weeks

• Replace sticky card in week 3 or 4 and place on new card to see if sachet are still active

Oriline i

Orius insidiosus

Sachets with Predatory Mites Which predatory mites are available in Sachets:

Amblyseius cucumeris: (Amblyline)

• Mini sachets (hanger), Mini sachets on Stick, (both 250 mites per sachet)

• Traditional CRS (hanger only) (1000 mites per sachet)

• Gemini sachet (double sachet – 250 mites per sachet =500 total)

• Bugline (continuous strip with sachets, every 3rd sachet has culture)

Amblyseius swirskii: (Swirskiline)

• Regular size sachet (250 mites)

• Mini sachet (hanger – 250 mites per sachet)

• Mini sachet on stick (125 mites per sachet)

• Bugline (continuous strip with sachets, every 6th sachet has culture)

• Gemini sachet (double sachet – 125 mites per sachet =250 mites each)

Sachets with Predatory Mites Which predatory mites are available in Sachets:

Amblyseius andersoni: (Anderline)

• Mini sachet (hanger – 125 mites per sachet)

• Bugline (continuous strip with sachets, every 6th sachet has culture)

• Gemini sachet (double sachet – 125 mites per sachet =250 mites each)

Amblyseius califonicus: (Californiline)

• Mini sachet (hanger – 250 mites per sachet)

Phytoseiulus persimilis is not available in sachets:

• Can not be produced on bran mites !!

Important: Sachet are designed to reproduce mites for 4 to 8 weeks.

Performance on production of mites is greatly affected by conditions.