MIRICAL

Unit of packaging

Macrolophus pygmaeus (predatory bug)

Pack size: 100 ml bottle

Contains: 500 adults and nymphs mixed with wood chips

 

Target

All stages of greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and tobacco whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), preferring eggs and larvae. Two spotted spider mites,  thrips (including Echinothrips americanus) and eggs of butterflies and tomato leaf miner moth (Tuta absoluta)are also eaten and to a lesser extent aphids and leaf miner larvae too. However the population build- up is then much slower than on whitefly.

Rates
MIRICAL	rate	m²/unit	interval (days)	frequency	remark
preventive	¼/m²	1000	14	2x	-
curative light	½/m²	1000	14	2x	-
curative heavy	5/m²	100	14	2x	introduce in infested areas only

 

Introduction

• sprinkle material on clean rockwool slab (or 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 pygmaeus 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 pygmaeus 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. Check local registration requirements.
Koppert Biological Systems can not be held liable for unauthorized use.