Beneficial Insect Profiles: Predators

Fallacis

COMMON NAME: fallacis

FAMILY: Phytoseiidae

GENUS: Neoseiulus (formerly: Amblyseius) (ne o see you lus)

SPECIES: fallacis

ORIGIN: Throughout the United States

HOST PEST: Two spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urtichae), Pacific Mites (Tetranychus pacificus), European red mites (Panonychus ulmi), Bank's grass mite.

HOST PLANT: Fruit trees, strawberries, corn, hops, mint, other field crops

LIFE STAGES: Egg, Larvae, Protonymph, Deutonymph, and Adult

ENVIRONMENT: Does best in moderate to cooler humid conditions, but will also tolerate warmer temperatures

PESTICIDES: Susceptible to pesticides. Pyrethroids are highly toxic. Field tolerance will vary with spray timing, application methods, weather and crop. Avoid spraying crop one week before or after releasing predators. Some materials may be toxic to predators for up to four weeks.

STORAGE: Highly perishable, should be used immediately upon delivery. If storage is absolutely necessary, refrigerate at 50° F. (6°-10° C). Not to exceed 2 days, to minimize mortality.

AUGMENTATION: Release rates are being developed. Release at least one per plant or one per square foot in greenhouses at the first sign of spider-mites. Later releases will require much higher numbers to be effective.

NOTES: This predatory mite disperses quickly. Neioseiulus fallacis is know to control European Red Mite below economic thresholds in fruit tree orchards.

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