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Hypoaspis-mites (Hypoaspis miles and H.aculeifer) against sciarids, springtails etc. |
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Hypoaspis-mites
The adult mites of the species Hypoaspis miles and H. aculeifer (1 mm) are yellow-brownish and the nymphs are transparent-light brown. Adults and nymphs of both species are polyphagous, i. e. feeding on a range of different soil-dwelling prey species and is used for biocontrol of sciarids (especially H. miles), shore flies (H.aculeifer) and springtails (both) etc. The Hypoaspis -mites stay most of the time within or on the soil searching the upper 20 cm of the soil for prey. Only in very rare cases they climb the plants. Both Hypoaspis -species prefer humid conditions e.g. humid plant compost and H. aculeifer is able to tolerate up to 7 weeks without food. H. miles prefer 15-30 ° C, whereas H. aculeifer prefer 18-23 ° C.
How to use
The Hypoaspis -mites can be used simultaneously with nematodes and the Bt-products Vectobac and Bactimos. The mites prefer soil as growth media, but can also be used in Coconut-products and inactive growth media. The Hypoaspis -mites are dispersed on top of the growth media before or after planting or later on in the growth period. Mixing the Hypoaspis into the soil can not be recommended. In addition, Hypoaspis can be used to control the level of sciarids on the floor (below the tables). For this treatment use a lower dose of mites of 50 Hypoaspis /m 2 once a year. For preventive control release 100 Hypoaspis /m 2 1-2 times. In growth buckets release 1 tablespoon/bucket (100 mites). For curative control release once at least 250-500 mites/m 2 .
The product
Professional: The Hypoaspis -mites are delivered in a mixture of soil and vermiculite with 10.000 or 25.000 per bottle. It is advantageous to remove the mesh from the lid and disperse the mites through the hole. Retail: 5.000 mites of a mixture of soil and vermiculite. Avoid direct sunlight. Release immediately after delivery. Can be stored for a few days at 15-20 ° C, but not longer, since the mites then will start attacking each other in the restricted space. Hypoaspis miles do not tolerate storage in the refrigerator, whereas H. aculeifer easily tolerates 10 ° C.