[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t
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Order: Acari<\/span> Adult predatory mites have four pairs of legs and have pear- or teardrop-shaped bodies that lack antennae and wings. Compared to spider mites, predatory mites are more active, slightly larger, and have longer legs which allows them to move faster as they search for prey. Eggs are typically laid on the underside of leaves, and are oval, clear, and larger than the eggs of spider mites.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”6%|6%|6%|6%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/divi-agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/03\/15.-predatory-mite-scaled-1.jpg” alt=”predatory mite” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Predatory mite feeding on prey. Image credit: Monica Farfan, via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/10\/Release-biocontrol-jpg.webp” alt=”predatory mite” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Release of predatory mites in nursery planting. Many species of predatory mite are commercially available as biocontrol agents for various arthropod pests, most notably spider mites. Image credits: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” custom_padding=”|4%|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Predatory mites have five life stages: egg, larvae, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult. The entire life cycle is completed in about 6-12 days. Eggs are laid individually and hatch within two to three days. After hatching, larvae of the western predatory mite (Galendromus occidentalis<\/em>) begin to feed on spider mites or eriophyid mites. This species overwinters as mated adult females in crevices on tree trunks, under scales of bark, or in detritus near the bases of trees when there are fewer than 11 hours of daylight. However, non-diapausing strains are available for greenhouse pest management during short winter days.<\/p>\n Phytoseiulus persimilis<\/em> do not begin feeding until they reach the nymphal stage. This species feeds on spider mites and thrips and will revert to cannibalism when sufficient prey is not available. These mites are voracious predators, and one P. persimilis<\/em> adult can consume 5-20 prey (eggs or mites) per day. A third species of predatory mite, Neoseiulus cucumeris<\/em>, is a generalist predator of whiteflies, thrips, mites, aphids, and psyllids. Like P. persimilis<\/em>, the larvae of N. cucumeris<\/em> do not feed.<\/p>\n Collectively, these three predatory mites have differing optimal temperature and relative humidity, and this information should be taken into consideration when determining which species of predatory mite to purchase. Generally, western predatory mites are less sensitive than P. persimilis<\/em> to variations in relative humidity. More information on the optimal temperature and relative humidity for western predatory mite and P. persimilis<\/em> is available here.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” custom_padding=”|4%|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n All three of the predatory mites described above are commercially available for biocontrol of different arthropod pests, including thrips, spider mites, and eriophyid mites. The western predatory mite is marketed for spider mite and eriophyid mite control in orchards and low- to medium-height crops such as strawberries and grapes. Phytoseiulus persimilis<\/em> is marketed for control of two-spotted spider mites in vegetables and ornamentals in greenhouses and gardens. While western predatory mites do not knock down spider mite populations as quickly as P. persimilis<\/em>, they can survive longer periods without prey.<\/p>\n Neoseiulus cucumeris<\/em> is labeled for control of thrips, two-spotted spider mites, and rust mites. This species can survive on plant pollen in the absence of sufficient prey, making it an easily adaptable natural enemy for greenhouse and nursery production systems.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” custom_padding=”|4%|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Avoiding applications of broad-spectrum insecticides or miticides will help maintain healthy populations of predatory mites. Some pesticides such as imidacloprid, carbaryl, and malathion reduce resident predatory mite populations and can exacerbate infestations of spider mites. In addition, controlling arthropod predators such as ants will help maintain populations of predatory mites in the greenhouse. Low humidity can also restrict the activity of predatory mites.<\/p>\n Including perennial flowers, shrubs, and trees will help establish populations of small insects and pest mites as prey for predatory mites so they are present when pest populations begin increasing. In crops, these plantings will be most effective at the borders or as intercropped strips.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” custom_padding=”|4%|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Cornell University. (n.d.).<\/strong> Phytoseiulus persimilis. Cornell University \u2013 College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Available https:\/\/biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu\/predators\/Phytoseiulus.php<\/a><\/p>\n Hoyt, S., and E. Beers. 1993.<\/strong> Western Predatory Mite. Washington State University. Available https:\/\/treefruit.wsu.edu\/crop-protection\/opm\/western-predatory-mite\/<\/a><\/p>\n Kakkar, G., and V. Kumar. 2016.<\/strong> University of Florida \u2013 Featured Creatures. Available https:\/\/entnemdept.ufl.edu\/creatures\/BENEFICIAL\/Neoseiulus_cucumeris.htm<\/a><\/p>\n Patterson, R., and R. Ramirez. 2012.<\/strong> Beneficials: Predatory Mites. Utah State University \u2013 Extension. Available https:\/\/digitalcommons.usu.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1857&context=extension_curall<\/a><\/p>\n Raupp, M., J. Traunfeld, and C. Sargent. 2023.<\/strong> Predatory Mites. University of Maryland \u2013 Extension. Available https:\/\/extension.umd.edu\/resource\/predatory-mites<\/a><\/p>\n
Family: Phytoseiidae<\/p>\nDescription<\/h2>\n
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Life history and habits<\/h1>\n
Predatory mites as biocontrol agents<\/h2>\n
Conservation<\/h2>\n
References<\/h2>\n