Swirski mite for two-spotted spider mite
Swirskii is bought for thrips and whitefly, and it eats some spider mites, so it often gets tried against them. Cornell says not to buy it for spider mites: it is less effective than the specialist predators, cannot get through spider mite webbing, and helps only while numbers are low. UConn says the thrips predators, swirskii among them, may feed on spider mites but cannot be relied on, and Koppert and Biobest list only thrips and whitefly as its targets. For spider mite hot spots buy Phytoseiulus persimilis; to hold low numbers down, Neoseiulus californicus. Where swirskii is already in for thrips, count any spider mites it eats as a bonus.
Before you order
Sprinkled onto the leaves or hung in slow-release sachets in warm crops, where it feeds on pollen as well as prey and can build up ahead of the pest. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Amblyseius swirskii profile.
How many do I need?
Area and infestation level in; quantity, cost and a weekly schedule out. Open the calculator →
Other controls for two-spotted spider mite
- Phytoseiulus persimilisPredatory mite · 2–50 /m² per release (Koppert); 100+ /m² on hot spots (Biobest data sheet)
- Neoseiulus californicusPredatory mite · 25–125 /m² per release, weekly, at least five times (Koppert); 5 /m² every two weeks as prevention and 100–200 /m² on hot spots (Biobest data sheet); indoors 1–4 per plant, every two weeks, 2–3 times (Arbico)
- Amblyseius andersoniPredatory mite · 20–100 /m² (Biobest); 50–250 /m² weekly (Koppert)
- Feltiella acarisugaPredatory midge · 0.25–25 /m² per release, at least 3 weekly releases (Koppert)
- Stethorus punctillumPredatory lady beetle · 100–200 adults per hot spot, or 1–4 per 10 sq ft, weekly for 3–4 weeks (Arbico; its low rate is every two weeks)