Hypoaspis miles, soil predatory mite for western flower thrips
Most western flower thrips drop to the compost to pupate — 98% on bean plants in one study — and this is where the soil mite meets them. In that trial, releases of Hypoaspis cut thrips numbers by roughly 45–58%, so it lowers the next generation but never reaches the larvae in the flowers. Other trials reviewed by Cloyd found that adding a soil predator gave no more control than foliar predators alone, so UConn recommends it only as a supplement to Neoseiulus cucumeris, not a replacement.
Before you order
Sprinkled on the compost surface, where it hunts small larvae and pupae in the top centimetre or so and lives on debris and algae when prey is scarce. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Stratiolaelaps scimitus profile.
How many do I need?
Area and infestation level in; quantity, cost and a weekly schedule out. Open the calculator →
Other controls for western flower thrips
- Amblyseius cucumerisPredatory mite · 50–100 /m² per release (Koppert); UC IPM: 10–50 mites per plant, weekly; or sachets
- Orius insidiosusPredatory bug · 1–2 /m² per release; up to 10 /m² in hot spots
- Orius laevigatusPredatory bug · 0.5–1 /m² preventive once the crop flowers; 5–10 /m² in and around hot spots
- Amblyseius swirskiiPredatory mite · 25 /m² preventive, 50 at first detection, 100–300 on hot spots (Cornell); sachets repeated after four weeks
- Metarhizium brunneum strain F52Microbial — insect-killing fungus · Label rate — granules 1.5–3 lb per cubic yard of potting mix; liquid drench 4–8 fl oz per 10 gal
- Beauveria bassiana strain GHAMicrobial insecticide (fungus) · Label rate — 1–2 qt per 100 gal (BotaniGard ES / Mycotrol ES) or 1–2 lb (22WP)