Swirskii, Cucumeris, Californicus: Broad Mite Killers

[@concor69999]

Wow. What a video! Thanks a lot, man!

[@Zenthanol]

Always gratifying to hear positive feedback. Glad it was useful!

[@JOHN-ZOV]

Zenthanol you are the man! Very informative video. Thank you dude.

[@organicrops_mx]

Hello. We are located in the northwestern region of Mexico. We are using A. swirskii to control thrips, whitefly and broadmite (huge problem). We are not using cucumeris nor californicus. The crop is bell pepper (greenhouse and nethouse). Do you think we need to use more beneficial mites (cucumeris and californicus) to solve the broadmite problems. Regards.

[@Zenthanol]

It is a common question that is good to consider. Personally, I do not think the addition of more mite species that overlap in prey targets will be as efficient as simply using more swirskii/sqm for example or feeding the mites with pollen. I have another video that goes over using banker ornamental pepper plants and pollen for keeping swirskii and cucumeris populations high in the crop if that is useful for you called, "Companion Planting Peppers for Amblyseius swirskii Improves Control".

[@organicrops_mx]

Zenthanol Thanks. I will check it out. We do peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes in greenhouses with biocontrol. We are always looking for more info and videos to improve the systems.

[@Zenthanol]

@@organicrops_mx I highly recommend my Phytoseiidae playlist on this KZbin channel, especially the videos "Phytoseiiedae [Predatory Mite] Classification Types I-IV" and "The Myriad Acarine Biocontrol Agents" for more information related to them and their use!

[@stevep4236]

Do you know the life cycles of a broad mite...example how long do they live without a host plant?

[@Zenthanol]

Yes. I explain the life cycle of russet, broad, and spider mites in this video called, "Tetranychids, Tarsonemids, and Eriophyids". Basically, broad mites can't survive for more than a few days without a suitable host. kzbin.info/www/bejne/enWYipV3jMeYadE

[@stevep4236]

@@Zenthanol would they continue to breed even without suitable host? Thank you, I will watch the video also

[@Zenthanol]

@@stevep4236 Not if they're starving for food, as Broad Mites do not live very long even under ideal conditions. They have to feed on plant tissue to sustain themselves and become stressed from malnutrition.

[@stevep4236]

@@Zenthanol would this be the same for Russets also? I've read they can live up to 3 weeks without host according to studies

[@Zenthanol]

@@stevep4236 Russet Mites have an overwintering form they can produce, but it has to be elicited from environmental cues. The entire Russet Mite family is poorly understood and there is likely a disparity between gall and non-gall species. If they are fully sated and kept in a low-stress environment different species may be able to live for a short period, but starvation would make other processes like reproduction unlikely.

[@ericsolveson7290]

Skirskii for the win

[@laurieedeburn2449]

Thanks

[@Zenthanol]

You are very welcome!

[@chroniccare409]

Which mite do you recommend for broad mite on indoor cannabis plant

[@Zenthanol]

I tend to like Amblyseius swirskii or Neoseiulus cucumeris personally.

[@chroniccare409]

Can you take a look at a video and tell me what it is?

[@chroniccare409]

Zenthanol can u take a look at this video and give me a opinion? kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ7VcmZpgb1sbZY

[@chroniccare409]

Zenthanol actually it’s this video but if can identify both vids that’d be 👍🏻 kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5fCk4KqgbaEoqc

[@Zenthanol]

@@chroniccare409 Surely.

[@DatsiKxModz]

So if type A feed on trichomes isn't that bad lol?

[@Zenthanol]

There are no type A mites, what are you referring to?

[@trybacklater]

So do you recommend releasing multiple species and types, of predator spider mites? Also what are the ideal conditions for the satchels after hung?

[@Zenthanol]

Not at once, because it is often difficult to tell them apart, negating the ability to effectively asses which species is actually being observed during crop scouting. The ideal conditions depend on the make and model of the sachet, and different biocontrol companies have different specifications.

[@stevep4236]

Would these be good for Russet mites as well? And should it be used as a preventative or when you see you start seeing symptoms?

[@Zenthanol]

If the resources are available, it is almost always better to apply prophylactic populations of swirskii or cucumeris for example against russet mites. I have a russet mite biocontrol video that goes into detail with empirical literature on the subject. They have to be integrated correctly with other facets of IPM like spray composition and regimen.

[@stevep4236]

@@Zenthanol Thank you!

[@Zenthanol]

@@stevep4236 Anytime!

[@paulbee2447]

@@Zenthanol Could you please recommend a good hand lens to see mites? Thank you.

[@Zenthanol]

@@paulbee2447 I like to use watch repair glasses like I mention in my, "Integrated Pest Management Site Evaluation Equipment Review 2019-2020". They're inexpensive and while I would prefer a sturdier, more robust system, in my experience they last 1-2 years if used lightly and they can sustain light damage. The ocular joint tends to wear a bit and can become loose past 2 years. I have trialed many similar repair/magnification lenses for the head that allow me to be hands-free, and this design with adjustable eyepieces and lenses ranging from 10× to 25× is adequate for detecting 200μm pests like russet mites and broad mites in the field, and the details of larger organisms.

[@mwoods4608]

so I see some clear bugs, how do I know if they are good or bad?

[@Zenthanol]

It might not be possible without some more detail or familiarity with the target. If you can provide pictures, video, and/or more information it might be possible for me to help. Send a message to me at Zenthanol.com and I would be happy to help.

[@mwoods4608]

if I already treated with sulfer how long do I have to wait until I can start predator mites

[@Zenthanol]

If it was applied as wettable sulfur, usually I like to wait 3-4 days minimum before introduction because mites, insects, fungi, and some other microbes are all highly sensitive to sulfur.

[@lemondawg4051]

whats a good ipm for these buggars

[@Zenthanol]

All IPM is predicated on the grow context but something as simple as wettable sulfur works well for many plants. I like to use a knock down application and then predatory mites.

[@lemondawg4051]

Can i use diatomaceus earth ?

[@Zenthanol]

@@lemondawg4051 I don't think that would be effective.