June 2024 - 30

DR. BUGS | BY RAYMOND A. CLOYD
Biological control agent
of Western flower thrips
Question: I have heard about a predatory mite I can use to
manage Western flower thrips populations in my greenhouse.
Can you provide information on the predatory mite?
Answer: The predatory mite you
are referring to is Neoseiulus, also
known as Amblyseius cucumeris.
Neoseiulus cucumeris can be released
into greenhouse production systems
to manage Western flower thrips
(Frankliniella occidentalis) populations
on ornamental and vegetable crops
below plant-damaging levels. This
article discusses the biology and
behavior, commercial availability and
use of N. cucumeris in greenhouse
production systems.
BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
Neoseiulus cucumeris adults are
0.4 to 0.8 millimeters long, pearshaped
and light brown (Figure 1).
The life cycle consists of an egg,
larva, two nymphal stages and an
adult. The life cycle, from egg to
adult, can be completed in 6-12 days
at 77° F.
Each adult female can lay up to
35 eggs during her 35-day lifespan.
Eggs are 0.14 millimeter in diameter
and white. Females lay eggs on the
leaf underside along the midrib.
Nonfeeding, six-legged larvae emerge
(eclose) from eggs in two to three
days at 68° F. Two nymphal stages
(deutonymph and protonymph)
are present for 7-10 days before
becoming adults. The nymphal stages
and adults have eight legs.
Development of the life cycle from
egg to adult varies with temperature.
The life cycle takes 11 days at 68° F,
eight days at 77° F and six days
at 86° F. The nymphal stages and
adults are mobile and actively search
for Western flower thrips larvae.
Figure 1. A pear-shaped,
light brown adult
Neoseiulus cucumeris.
All photos courtesy of
Raymond Cloyd.
Neoseiulus cucumeris is most active
at temperatures between 68º F and
81° F and a relative humidity between
65% and 80%.
This predatory mite is generally
located on leaf undersides, along leaf
veins and in flowers. It feeds on the
immature (larvae or nymphs) stages
of insect and mite pests including:
sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia
tabaci); Western flower thrips; broad
mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus);
cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus)
and tomato russet mite (Aculops
lycopersici). Larvae and adults only
feed on the first instar (stage between
each molt) larvae of the Western
flower thrips.
Their mouthparts are used to pierce
Western flower thrips first instar larva
and withdraw body fluids. Western
Figure 3. Sachets of Neoseiulus cucumeris are placed
throughout a greenhouse grown crop to control
Western flower thrips.
Figure 2. A sachet, or slow
release bag, containing
Neoseiulus cucumeris adults,
nymphs and eggs.
30
JUNE 2024 GPNMAG.COM

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June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2024

Table of Contents
Editor's Report | Labor updates
Legislation | Tackling ag labor
Management | All-in-one installation
Labor | Labor survey report
Labor | New H-2A worker protections will start this year
CAST 2024 | CAST crazes of 2024
Pest & Disease Management | Start clean, stay clean
Biologicals | Plant health and biologicals
Dr. Bugs | Biological control agent of Western flower thrips
Forty Under 40 Perspectives | Remote Sales success
Culture Report | Sparkling new Princettia varieties
Duets | Plant pathology perspective from floriculture royalty
AmericanHort | Dive deeper and gain an edge
Product Marketplace
Industry News
Classifieds/Ad Index
June 2024 - 1
June 2024 - 2
June 2024 - Table of Contents
June 2024 - Editor's Report | Labor updates
June 2024 - 5
June 2024 - 6
June 2024 - 7
June 2024 - Legislation | Tackling ag labor
June 2024 - 9
June 2024 - Management | All-in-one installation
June 2024 - 11
June 2024 - 12
June 2024 - 13
June 2024 - Labor | Labor survey report
June 2024 - 15
June 2024 - Labor | New H-2A worker protections will start this year
June 2024 - 17
June 2024 - CAST 2024 | CAST crazes of 2024
June 2024 - 19
June 2024 - 20
June 2024 - 21
June 2024 - 22
June 2024 - 23
June 2024 - Pest & Disease Management | Start clean, stay clean
June 2024 - 25
June 2024 - Biologicals | Plant health and biologicals
June 2024 - 27
June 2024 - 28
June 2024 - 29
June 2024 - Dr. Bugs | Biological control agent of Western flower thrips
June 2024 - 31
June 2024 - Forty Under 40 Perspectives | Remote Sales success
June 2024 - 33
June 2024 - Culture Report | Sparkling new Princettia varieties
June 2024 - 35
June 2024 - 36
June 2024 - 37
June 2024 - Duets | Plant pathology perspective from floriculture royalty
June 2024 - 39
June 2024 - 40
June 2024 - 41
June 2024 - AmericanHort | Dive deeper and gain an edge
June 2024 - 43
June 2024 - Product Marketplace
June 2024 - 45
June 2024 - 46
June 2024 - 47
June 2024 - Industry News
June 2024 - 49
June 2024 - Classifieds/Ad Index
June 2024 - 51
June 2024 - 52
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/cannabisguide-2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-january-2021
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