|
RELEASE RATES:
Apply Fallacis at the first sign of a mite infestation for optimum effectiveness. Fallacis will usually become established in the crop after one introduction, where they remain if mites or pollen are available for food. When prey becomes scarce, Fallacis moves to the top of the plant and usually disperses throughout the crop on the wind.
When predators are found on each infested leaf it usually means that the biological control program will be successful. It may take another 2-6 weeks for new plant growth to show improvement, depending on growth rates.
RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS
- Keep the package or vial in a cool location until you can release the predators. Ideal storage temperature is 50°F (10°C). But remember to release them as soon as possible.
- You should be able to see the predatory mites with normal vision. Some may be seen in the cap after it is removed but, the easiest way is to sprinkle some of the corn cob meal on a white paper under a desk lamp or flashlight and watch them run on the paper.
- Roll or tumble the vial to mix. Mist the leaves with water using a pump-spray bottle. Remove the cap and sprinkle the contents on the infested areas of the plants. The meal can be brushed off after an hour or so when the predators have left. If you do not want the meal on the plants place paper or foil on plant to place material.
- The predators will go to the underside of the leaf where the pest mites are usually found.
DESCRIPTION:
Neoseiulus fallacis are known to control the European Red Mite (Panonychus ulmi) below economic thresholds in fruit orchards. Also targets Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae), Spruce Spider Mite (Oligonychus ununguis) and Southern Red Mite (Oligonychus ilicis).Neoseiulus fallacis is a native predatory mite that feeds on spider mites, rust mites and small insects. It is one of the most important biological control agents in North American berry and orchard crops. Adults have pear-shaped bodies, 0.l5mm long; they are tan to light orange in color, shiny, with long legs. Immature predators are cream colored and semi-transparent. Their eggs are oval and 0.3mm long.
STORAGE:
Once you have received your predatory mites, release them ASAP!
LIFE SPAN:
Development from egg to adult takes from 7-9 days at 21°C (70°F) to 3 days at 32°C (85°F). At 26°C (78°F) a fourfold increase in numbers can occur within 4 days. In the field, under optimum conditions, populations can increase from 10 predators/100 leaves to 200-500 predators/100 leaves, in just 2 weeks.
Adult females lay 1-5 eggs per day, for a total of 26-60 eggs over their 14-62 day lifetime. The eggs hatch in 2-3 days. Eggs are oval and twice the size of two-spotted mite eggs. Newly hatched predators do not eat, but later stages and adults feed on all stages of prey. Female Fallacis eat 2-16 spider mites per day. Adult females enter diapause in response to the short days in the fall (14 hours or less). They stop reproducing and move into sheltered areas, such as under bark or ground cover.
|
