Amblyseius swirskii

The predatory mite Amblyseius (Typhlodromips) swirsky is a representative of the family Phytoseiidae and the order Parasitiformes. In nature it inhabits the delta of Nile in Egypt, the neighbouring regions of Israel and Near East.

The predatory mite is beige, less than 1 mm in length. The female lays several eggs every day on a plant leaf. The ontogenesis of predator development includes the following stages: an egg, a larva, a pronymph, a deutonymph and an adult individual. At a temperature of 25°C the entire cycle of development from an egg to an adult takes about 7 days. It is desirable to make the release of the predator at night when a temperature is not less than 15°C. In the afternoon a temperature should be higher than 20°C. The predator is very motile and active within all the stages of development. The main source of food for the predator is eggs and larvae of such whiteflies as Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemicia tabaci. The alternative food sources are young larvae of different species of thrips, some other small insects and flower pollen.

Amblyseius swirskii Amblyseius swirskii Amblyseius swirskii

Application

The application of the predator is recommended for biological system defense on vegetable crops that are able to produce flower pollen (cucumbers, sweet peppers, eggplants). In some countries it is applied for the complex defense of flower crops such as the rose and the gerbera. For preventive invasion the rate of release is 25–30 individuals per 1 m2. If the level of pest density is middle or high the rate of invasion is increased to 50–100 individuals per 1 m2. Taking into account heat-loving properties the predator can be recommended for application in hot and dry conditions (summer period). The optimal conditions for the development of the predator are a temperature of 25–28°C, a relative air humidity no less than 60%. The intensive population development of Amblyseius swirski depends on the kind of food, the availability of food sources and hydrothermal conditions.

In the complex of measures against different species of thrips Amblyseius swirski considerably exceeds Amblyseius cucumeris in the activity of feeding and development (if food source is enough available). If the predator consumes thrips it prefers the 1st larva stage of the pest. During a day the female kills about 5 individuals of the pest.

The high level of feeding activity and the development of the entomophage also takes place in the consumption of whiteflies. The female of Amblyseius swirski is able to devour 15–20 eggs or 10–15 young larvae of the pest per day.

Amblyseius swirski is an important component of complex programs in crop defense.

Advantages

  • polyphage (some stages of whiteflies, thrips, some species of mites);
  • possibility to feed on alternative food (flower pollen);
  • the high reproductive ability of the entomophage;
  • the high level of activity in the search of food source;
  • the absence of diapause;
  • high adaptive abilities to hot conditions.

Storage and transportation

  • keep out of direct sunlight;
  • transport and store at a temperature not lower than 15°C;
  • use within 18 hours since the moment of reception;
  • do not expose to overcooling (influence of negative temperatures).