Spider mite destroyer for two-spotted spider mite
A tiny black lady beetle that eats up to 75 mites a day, as adult or larva (UC IPM, for the genus). It needs plenty of prey, about 2–5 moving mites per leaf for the native species, so it is a clean-up predator for dense colonies and not a preventive. Pair it with Neoseiulus californicus, which works best released while mites are still few (Cornell). Wild Stethorus species already do this job outdoors, so avoid broad-spectrum sprays.
Before you order
Released on heavy spider mite hot spots, weekly for three to four weeks; it needs plenty of mites to stay and breed. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Stethorus punctillum 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)