Hypoaspis miles

The predatory mite Hypoaspis belongs to the family Laelapidae, the order Acari. It is widely spread in the natural conditions of Europe and Northern America. The entomophage is dark-brown, 1 mm in length. It inhabits top layers of the ground or organic remains (1–4 cm in depth). Living in the soil the mite feeds on different insects such as thrips pupae and larvae of the family Sciaridae representatives. It is possible feeding on the particles of organic substratum and algae. The female lays eggs in the ground. At a temperature of 25°C the cycle of development from an egg to an adult individual lasts 10–13 days and includes 3 immature stages. Hypoaspis feels itself very well in the conditions of wet compost. Fertility is 100–200 eggs. Dependently on the kind of a prey a daily fertility is 1.5–5 eggs. The adult individual consumes 1–5 pests per day. The life span of the adult mite is on an average 36 days. The maximum is 80 days. The life span of females is shorter than the life span of males. Sex ratio is 1:1. Cannibalism is not inherent for puberal individuals but under the long period of starvation the mite is able to eat eggs of its species.

Hypoaspis miles Hypoaspis miles Hypoaspis miles

Application

The species is applied for the defense of many vegetable and ornamental-flower crops against representatives of the family Sciaridae (cucumber gnat), mites, thrips nymphae and collembolans (springtails) which inhabit greenhouse substrate. There are experimental data about the effectiveness of the predator against nematodes and root mealy bugs.

The mite is usually applied in ground culture. But it is possible its application in the conditions of hydroponics culture under the artificial formation of medium for the development of the entomophage (sawdust, fallen foliage and other organic remains). Substrate should be wet with high porosity and a temperature of 15°C. But the mite doesn't withstand the overwetting of substrate. Because of the slow overgrowth of population it is recommended to apply the entomophage as an addition together with other entomophages for the reduction of western flower thrips population (Amblyseius cucucmeris, Amblyseius degenerans and Orius spp.). For the effective control of pests the entomophage should be applied under the low density of pest population (prophylactic invasions are possible). The rate of invasion is 50–100 individuals per 1 m2. In the focuses of pest populations the rate of invasion is increased. The mite possesses a high activity. Threshold thermal indexes under which the activity of the entomophage declines or stops are: the maximal is 34°C, the minimal is 10°C. Some synthetic pesticides can influence negatively on Hypoaspis miles (the predator is not compatible with ground insecticides!).

Remark:
Some synthetic pesticides can influence negatively on Hypoaspis miles.
The predator is not compatible with ground insecticides!

Advantages

  • application on many crops;
  • an effective agent against the west flower thrips and the species of the family Sciaridae;
  • the long time of population existence.

Transportation and storage

  • don't expose to direct sunlight;
  • transport and store at a temperature of 15–20°C;
  • apply within 48 hours since the moment of reception.