New predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus strengthens system in roses and cucumbers
The new predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus eats more and reproduces faster than other generalist predatory mites. Koppert will be bringing this mite onto the market at the end of this year. That is particularly good news for rose and cucumber growers. In Amblydromalus limonicus, they have a powerful natural enemy of thrips and whitefly, and one that tackles spider mite too.
These are the words of the Director of the R&D Beneficials unit Karel Bolckmans and field researcher Hans Hoogerbrugge. Amblydromalus limonicus has been in the picture as a predatory mite combating thrips in cucumber for about twenty years already. It was well-known that this mite performed better than Amblyseius cucumeris in that regard.
In 2003, a survey carried out by Wageningen UR (comparing ten predatory mites with each other), it emerged as the best natural enemy of thrips in cucumbers. Amblyseius swirskii demonstrated that predatory mites are also very good at combating whitefly. In this respect, too, Amblydromalus limonicus performs better than the other predatory mites. This prompted a new impulse in the research into the mass production of this predatory mite.
Thrips, whitefly, spider mite, pollen
The new predatory mite is currently being used in trials at a few dozen Dutch ornamental and vegetable-growing firms. Its gluttony and reproductive capacity are its main strengths, along with its generalist eating behaviour. According to Hans Hoogerbrugge, “Because it feeds on thrips, whitefly, spider mite and pollen, and because its own population grows at the same pace as any infestation, it is able to gain – and retain – the upper hand over both thrips and whitefly faster and at a lower level.” The good results in thrips are partly thanks to the fact that Amblydromalus limonicus also tackles thrips in the second larval phase. Neither Amblyseius swirskii nor Amblyseius cucumeris do this. Limonicus also measures up well as a natural enemy of whitefly. At low whitefly population levels, slow-release bags containing Amblyseius swirskii are the first-choice course of action, but if infestation levels rise, limonicus is an effective additional weapon. Another of limonicus’ strengths is the broad temperature spectrum that it tolerates. In research carried out by Koppert, Amblydromalus limonicus was most active at a temperature of 13-14°C, and continued to develop well. “It is much more active at that temperature than the other predatory mites,” according to Hans.
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