MIRICAL

Unit of packaging

Macrolophus caliginosus (predatory bug)

Pack size: 100 ml bottle

Contains: 500 adults and nymphs mixed with wood chips

Target

All stages of glasshouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and tobacco whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), preferring eggs and larvae. Two spotted spider mites, moth eggs and thrips (Echinothrips americanus) are also eaten and to a lesser extent aphids and leaf miner larvae. However populations develop most rapidly on whitefly. Adults can also survive for some time on plant saps.

Introduction

• sprinkle material on leaves
• introduce in clusters of at least 50 predatory bugs
• create 6-10 distribution points per bottle
• spread material thinly (maximum 1 cm thick) to enable easy movement of predatory bugs

Environmental conditions

At low temperatures Macrolophus caliginosus develops very slowly.

Storage and handling

• storage after receipt: 1-2 days
• storage temperature: 8-10°C/47-50°F
• in the dark (bottle horizontally)

Remarks

• if there is little or no pest in the crop: feed the predatory bugs with ENTOFOOD every two weeks (40 g/ha max. 3-4 x)
• the use of Macrolophus caliginosus in gerbera is not advised, because the predatory bug can cause damage to the flowers
• some growers of cherry tomatoes and small truss tomatoes were surprised by some fruit set problems. Some flowers per truss 'knuckled off' before setting. It turned out that these problems happened only in cherry tomato crops with a very high population of Macrolophus, absence of any prey and weak truss development

Appearance

Adults: size 6 mm, green, slim, long legs and antennae, mainly in shoots and along stems

Eggs: invisible, in leaves and stems

Nymphs: yellowish-green to green, mainly on the underside of leaves

Mode of action

Adult predatory bugs and nymphs search actively for their prey, insert their sucking mouthparts and suck out the contents.

Visual effect

If whitefly eggs, larvae or pupae are eaten by a predatory bug, only the skin remains usually in its original form with a tiny hole where the mouthpart of the predatory bug have been inserted.

Important!

The introduction rates of this product should be adjusted to the mode of action of the product and the results that can be expected in the crop where the product is applied. Your local Koppert consultant or recognized distributor will be able to advise you further.

Only use products that are permitted in your country / state and crop.