Amblyseius (Typhlodromips) swirskii is a polyphagous predatory mite, meaning that it feeds on several preys. For a fast growth of its population, A. swirskii needs a satisfactory food source and prefers whitefly and thrips. A. swirskii also feeds on pollen and in a certain degree on spider mites and tarsonemid mites. This gluttonous predator can be used in sweet pepper, cucumber, eggplant, strawberry and some ornamental crops.

The whitefly’s larvae feed on plant juice and the surplus on sugar will be excreted as sticky honeydew. The honeydew improves the growth of moulds and this interferes in the photosynthesis and transpiration of the plant. Furthermore, whiteflies are true vectors of many viruses such as TYLCV.
It is especially the eggs in the primary larval stage of greenhouse whitefly as well as tobacco whitefly that A. swirskii feeds on. It can consume about 10 eggs and young larvae a day.

Thrips cause damages in many different ways in the crop. Plant cells emptied of their content by the feeding of thrips take a grey or silver colour. Also, thrips excrements can lower the value of ornamental crops. Eggs are laid in the leaf tissue and can be recognized as warty suberizations. Depending on the type of crop, deformations and discolorations of the leaf, fruit and flowers are detected. Thrips are also known vectors of many viruses.
A. swirskii mainly eats the young thrips larvae. The predator capacity can be compared with that of A. cucumeris which means that about 5 larvae are consumed a day.

Amblyseius swirskii originates from the Mediterranean. More specific in countries such as Greece, Turkey, Israel and Egypt we can generally find it in nature. Its original area also explains why A. swirskii works better at higher the temperatures. The optimal development temperature is between 25°C and 28°C and the predatory mite stays even active up to temperatures of 40°C. Nevertheless under 15°C it is inactive. The humidity has also a restrictive influence on the development of this predatory mite. The critical limit is about 70 % relative humidity. A significant decrease under this limit does not necessarily mean the end for A. swirskii thanks to the micro climate around the leaf area. However, if such dryer periods last too long, the laid eggs will dry out and will be no longer viable.
The predatory mite does not know a diapauses and so it is also applicable during periods with less light.
In optimal climate and feeding conditions, its total life cycle will take 5 to 6 days and the females will lay about 2 eggs.

A population of A. swirskii will grow very fast and will spread among the crop as long as the ideal circumstances are guaranteed. We can find the predatory mite on the entire plant, but it has a slight preference for the upper part of pollinating crops. To stimulate the spread among the crop, it is recommended to disperse the mites well. The gland hairs on a tomato leaf, honeydew spots and spider webs obstruct the mite’s mobility.

The external differences between A. swirskii, A. cucumeris or A. californicus can not be distinguished with the naked eye or under a magnifying glass. These differences can only be observed under the microscope.

Biobest delivers A. swirskii in the following formulations:

• Swirskii-System:
  The predatory mites are delivered per 25.000 or 50.000 in a 500 ml plastic pot. The composition of the carrier exists of bran and vermiculite.
  Preventively disperse 20 pieces/m² on the leaves. As soon as the first preys are detected, spread 100 pieces/m² where whitefly or thrips were located.
• Swirskii-Breeding-System:
  Thanks to the breeding sachets, preventative introduction is allowed in non-pollinating crops such as cucumber. At first, every breeding sachet contains approximately 250 A. swirskii in a carrier of bran and feeder mites. These feeder mites serve as an alternative prey. During 3-4 weeks, every breeding sachet produces a couple of thousands predatory mites. They can easily spread in the crop through a hole in the waterproof paper of the sachet, so there is no need to open the sachet.
  Hang sachets of the Swirskii-Breeding-System on plants at a rate of 1 sachet/2 m². If necessary, repeat introduction every 4 weeks to maintain a continuous presence of A. swirskii in the crop.
  Swirskii-Breeding-System is delivered in a box with 100 or 500 sachets.
• Swirskii-Long-Life-System:
  At first, every Swirskii-Long-Life-System sachet contains approximately 150 A. swirskii in a carrier of bran, 2 feeder mite species and an alternative food source for these feeder mites.
  The sachets produces a couple of thousands predatory mites. The release of predatory mites continues for a period longer than 6 weeks.
  A. swirskii can easily spread in the crop through a hole in the waterproof paper of the sachet, so there is no need to open the sachet.
  Hang sachets of the Swirskii-Long-Life-System on plants at a rate of 1 sachet/2 m².
  The specific composition of this breeding sachet results into a longer release period. In this way A. swirskii can be kept in the crop for longer periods, offering more protection, which makes it interesting for no pollen bearing crops such as cucumber.
  Swirskii-Long-Life-System is delivered in a box with 500 sachets.

The ideal storage temperature is 15 °C. At this temperature the predatory mites remain in optimal condition during maximum 1 week. Low temperatures have a negative influence on A. swirskii. Store the mites in a dark place with enough ventilation to avoid the narcotic effects of a possible CO₂ accumulation. Nevertheless, always introduce the predatory mites as soon as possible to prevent unpredictable temperature fluctuations!

• Preventively applicable through breeding sachets, also in non-pollinating crops
• Protection for longer periods and higher walking outs through Swirskii-Long-Life-System
• Wide range of preys
• Not sensitive to day length
• Can survive on pollen
• Applicable in many crops