Voracious on several crops
Caterpillar damage usually occurs in late summer and early autumn, but recently some caterpillars have been causing problems throughout the growing season. There are several biological control methods of caterpillar control.

• For the detection of the first moths in the greenhouse.
• Hang minimum 2 Attract^® pheromone lures per ha; we are mostly interested in the detection of Lobesia botrana (Grapeberry moth) and Planoccus citri (Citrus mealybug).
  • Hang the Attract^® pheromone lures minimum 50 m from each other to prevent a mixture of the pheromones.
  • Replace the pheromone capsules regularly (every 4 weeks).

Mealy bug is one of the hardest pests to control. Its body is covered with white waxy threads, which often make a chemical pest control little successful.
 

• Cryptolaemus is a predator which is very effective to control mealybug populations.
• Introduce 2 to 3 adult beetles/m².
• Cryptolaemus controls beside mealybug also aphids and/or scale insects.

A population of spider mites can grow very rapidly, especially under dry and warm conditions. Fast action is recommended to keep the spider mite densities as low as possible.

• Can be introduced preventive against spider mite (from the beginning of the bloom).
• Introduce preventive 8-10 Amblyseius californicus/m², all over the crop.
• Amblyseius californicus can hibernate in frost-free greenhouses.

• In combination with Phytoseiulus at spider mite hot spots.
• Introduce locally 1 pot (250 pupae) during 4-6 weeks.
• Remark: The gall midges have an excellent ability to search, but they can becom disorientated by frequent use of sulpher steamer.

• As soon as the first spider mite hot spots are detected, introduce as soon as possible minimum 20 Phytoseiulus/m². The exact amount of Phytoseiulus depends on the severeness of the spider mite damage. Introduce in and around the spider mite hot spots minimum  40 Phytoseiulus/m².
• Check the spider mite hot spots weekly and introduce Amblyseius californicus and/or Phytoseiulus if necessary.
• Remark: Spray  the spider mite hot spots a few times a week, the moist circumstances which are created will provide a quicker building of the number of predatory mites in the crop. 

Adult thrips are small, elongated insects with typical fringed wings. They measure about 1 mm, and have a greyish or yellow to brown colour. The two most common harmful species are the onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) and the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis).

Amblyseius-Breeding-System (A.B.S) (predatory mite - Amblyseius cucumeris in sachets)

• Introduce minimum 5.000 sachets/ha (in total minimum 1 million Amblyseius cucumeris/ha).
• Start at the first bloom.
• Repeat after 6-8 weeks in sonsultation with your advisor.

Amblyseius-System (predatory mite - Amblyseius cucumeris in 1L sprinkler)

• If no ABS is used, Amblyseius cucumeris can be introduced as sprinkling material (25.000 Amblyseius cucumeris per liter). Apply only when there is sufficient bloom.
• Introduce minimum 2 x 500.000 Amblyseius/ha on the crop interval of 1 to 2 weeks.

Amblyseius-Breeding-System (A.B.S) (predatory mite - Amblyseius cucumeris in sachets)

• Introduce minimum 5.000 sachets/ha (in total minimum 1 million Amblyseius cucumeris/ha).
• Start at the first bloom.
• Repeat after 6-8 weeks in sonsultation with your advisor.

Amblyseius-System (predatory mite - Amblyseius cucumeris in 1L sprinkler)

• If no ABS is used, Amblyseius cucumeris can be introduced as sprinkling material (25.000 Amblyseius cucumeris per liter). Apply only when there is sufficient bloom.
• Introduce minimum 2 x 500.000 Amblyseius/ha on the crop interval of 1 to 2 weeks.

• Introduce Orius starting from the first bloom, minimum 2 x 0,5 Orius/m², with an interval of 1 to 2 weeks (in total 1 Orius/m²).
• In cases of severe thrips damage: introduce minimum 5 to 10 Orius/m² in and around thrips hot spots.