Description
Amblyseius swirskii is a predatory mite native to the coastal regions of the Middle East and North Africa. It is an ideal product to be used in crops that are grown under protection and in warm conditions, such as peppers, cucumbers, Gerbera and eggplant.
Target Pest
Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) and Whitefly (Bemisia), spider mites, broad mites and russet mites.
Life Cycle
A complete life cycle takes 7 days at 77°F. Females lay 2 eggs per day on leaf hairs along the veins on the lower surface of leaves. Humidity is especially important for the eggs. If the leaves are too dry the eggs are unable to hatch, decreasing population numbers.
Swirskii go through five stages of development. Egg, larvae, protonymph, deutonymph and finally adult. They are very light in color and difficult to see with the naked eye. Often they get mistaken for A. cucumeris, another predatory mite that feeds on thrips.
Use in Biological Control
A. swirskii is a generalist predator and will feed on a variety of pests. It feeds on the young stages of whitefly and thrips and consumes about 15 prey per day. It also will attack spider mites, broad mites and russet mites. Optimum daytime temperatures include 77-82°F with a relative humidity of 70%, but successful implementation may be received outside of these parameters. It breeds very quickly under warm and humid environmental conditions. It predates on thrips, whiteflies and other pests. In the absence of prey it can also survive by feeding on pollen and mold. It prefers a warm and humid climate, but can survive cooler nights during the winter months in semi-protected crops by moving lower down the plant where it benefits from the warmer microclimate near the ground. This mite is available in 'gemini' sachets which are water resistant and allow for quick and easy introduction into the crop.
Monitoring Tips
Use a 10-15x hand lens to inspect for mites, which are most often found along veins on the underside of leaves or inside mature flowers.
Product Information
A. swirskii is available in various forms to suit your specific crop needs.
- 1 Liter bottles contain 25,000 mites on vermiculite. 5 Liter bags contain 125,000 mites on vermiculite. Keep containers horizontal and cool until use. Before opening, rotate the bottle or bag to distribute mites evenly throughout the material.
- Sachets come in boxes of 100 or 500 with sticks for poking into the soil or hooks for easy hanging on foliage. Approximately 250 mites are released from each sachet-breeding colony over a 6+ week period. Water resistant 'Gemini' sachets can tolerate overhead irrigation. Do not hang sachets next to heat pipes and away from intense direct sunlight. Please specify whether CRS or Gemini sachets are needed.
- Mini sachets are best suited in situations where plant foliage is not expected to grow together contiguously.
Introduction Rates
- Loose release - use 2-5 mites/square foot
- Sachets - place 1 sachet/plant or 1 sachet per 6.5 to 13 feet of crop row
- Repeating applications will help increase numbers. Introduce mites early before pests have a chance to establish.
For Best Results
Amblyseius swirskii does best when there is a high amount of pollen present in the crop. Consider a supplemental food source like Nutrimite if using preventatively.
Be careful if releasing Aphidoletes or N. californicus, some studies have suggested swirskii will feed on these in the absence of other prey.
Do not refrigerate. Use product within 18 hours of receipt.