- 0.5-4 beetles per 10 square feet of crop canopy.
-
Stethorus are sold in small containers of 100 adults. They are shipped in shredded paper or other packing material to provide protection; mortality in these containers should be less than 10%. Once the beetles warm up they become active immediately and should be released into spider mite infested areas as soon as possible.
-
If necessary, beetles can be stored for a few days at 50-61ºF (10-16ºC) but longer storage without food will reduce egg laying and adult life span.