Amblyseius cucumeris

Amblyseius cucumeris belongs to the family Phytoseiidae, the order Parasitiformes. The predator is mainly applied for thrips control, particularly against the west flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) and the onion thrips (thrips tabaci). It also can be used for the control of Tarsonemid mites on some agricultural crops. A. cucumeris is able to consume the spider mite, but doesn't provide considerable control. The alternative source of nutrition is flower pollen.

Amblyseius cucumeris Amblyseius cucumeris Amblyseius cucumeris

Amblyseius cucucmeris has a beige color. Its size is less than 1 mm in length. The female lays several eggs near veins on the underside of a leaf blade (about 35 eggs for its life cycle). The young larva has 6 legs only and doesn't feed. Within the following 2 nymph stages it has 8 legs like an adult individual. The nymph seems smaller than the adult and there is no metamorphosis. The development from an egg to an adult takes 8–11 days at 25°C and 20°C accordantly. The adult Amblyseius cucucmeris lives about 3 weeks. The adult predator consumes on an average 1 thrips per day and in addition a spider mite and its eggs. Taking into account the small size of the entomophage it prefers the first stage of thrips ontogenesis (small larvae of the pest).

Application

The Amblyseius cucumeris is applied many years in greenhouses on such vegetable crops as the sweet pepper, the cucumber and the eggplant. Besides, interest in this entomophage has increased last years in the defense system of ornamental crops such as the gerbera, the chrysanthemum and the rose. It is important to note that the structure of the leaf of some plants (for example tomatoes) complicates the application of this predatory mite.

In the practice of IPM (integrated pest management) system there are two main methods of entomophage application: a local mass colonization in the focuses of high developed pest populations and a prophylactic colonization on the long-term basis.

The local colonization of the entomophage under the high density of pest population is applied together with other biological agents (Orius spp, Amblyseius degenerans, Hypoaspis mile, Verticilium lecanii). It is made because Amblyseius cucucmeris is not very effective for the suppression of considerable pest populations in self-supporting application. The rate of A. cucumeris application is 25–100 individuals per 1 m2 every 2 weeks until the situation is stabilized entirely.

The prophylactic colonization is based on the application of special paper water-resistant packs (Controlled Release System (CRS)), which contains nutrient substratum (bran and vermiculite), some quantity of the predator and the additional source of food (Tygophagus putrescentiae)). As a rule a pack contains about 500 or 1000 individuals of the entomophage in different stages. The pack has an outlet for the gradual releasing of the predator. The packs are allocated in the direct proximity to vegetative plant mass in order to provide enough contact of the predator with plants and the unobstructed release of the entomophage. Amblyseius cucucmeris goes out during the long period of time ensuring the permanent presence of predators on crops within the whole term of pack application (4–6 weeks in dependence on conditions). During the period of application it is observed the increase of predator population inside the pack owing to presence of additional food source.

It is not recommended to use the entomophage under permanent low temperatures (10°C) and in very dry conditions (at a relative air humidity of lower than 50%). Hydrothermal conditions for the optimal effectiveness of the predator are temperatures of 20–25°C, a relative air humidity of 65–75%. It is not desirable to allocate the packs with the entomophage directly near the tubes of heating. A lot of insecticides can be successfully combined with the application of Amblyseius cucumeris, especially in CRS-systems.

Advantages

  • effective application on many of crops;
  • easy and handy to apply;
  • the long action of the predator;
  • the absence of diapause;
  • the high level of mobility.

Transportation and storage

  • store at a temperature of 10–15°C;
  • do not to expose the biomaterial to direct sunlight;
  • apply the biomaterial within 18 hours since the moment of reception.