ARBICO Organics Amblyseius Cucumeris Beneficial Mites

Prevent Thrips From Becoming Established With This Excellent Predator.

Ships via FREE Overnight methods on Tuesdays Only. Minimum 7-day processing prior to shipment.

Amblyseius cucumeris predatory mites are primarily thrips predators, but will also feed on a range of mite species in different environments. Tan colored and about 0.5mm long, they can be slow to establish - 4-8 weeks under ideal conditions - meaning they are best used for prevention and low-level management of thrips infestations. Control is often seen 3 weeks after release. They will find alternate food sources* in the absence of prey. It is important to pair A. cucumeris with a suitable mite predator for control of any of the listed pest mites if populations are established.

This Product Controls These Pests or Diseases: Bean Thrips (Caliothrips fasciatus), Broad Mites, Russet Mites, Spider Mites, Thrips**, Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)

Key Features:

• Wide range of food sources.
• Highly compatible with S. scimitus, rove beetles and minute pirate bugs for thrips control.
• Often combined with A. andersoni for mite control.
• Sustain themselves in low pest levels.
• Multiple release types allows for variable uses in different growing environments.

What's In The Package:

Bran and Vermiculite mixes are packed with adult A. cucumeris ready to feed on active mite populations.

Optimal Conditions: 68°-77°F, 65-70% relative humidity

Release Rates & Recommendations: Release A. cucumeris when thrips populations are low. Early season monitoring can be done with blue or yellow sticky traps. Moisture and humidity help increase hatch rates. Do not use with A. swirskii. Some crops, including tomatoes & other highly resinous crops, require higher release rates.

Preventive Release Rates – Make initial releases before thrips issues develop to allow A. cucumeris to establish. This can take 4-8 weeks. Sachets are ideal for preventative release.

• 10-20 mites per sq. ft. or 100-200 per square meter. Make weekly broadcast applications.

Spot Treatment Release Rates (Acute Treatment) – Use when isolated areas of pest pressure are present.

• Apply 20-40 mites per sq. ft. (100-400 per square meter). Reapply weekly in broadcast applications until pest issues have subsided.

Instructions

Relatively high release rates are needed because thrips reproduce more quickly than A. cucumeris, who feed on the immature stages and establish slowly. For best thrips control, use with Minute Pirate Bugs on foliage and release S. scimitus in the growing medium.

Shaker Tubes (In Bran and Vermiculite): Shake small quantities of predatory mites onto crop where pest pressure is heaviest.

• Lightly misting plants before releases are made can help mites establish themselves and aid overall effectiveness of A. cucumeris.

Sachet Application: Open the box of sachets in the crop. Separate sachets by tearing along perforations (if applicable - do not tear Bugline).

• Hang or place sachets within crop canopy with emergence hole on the underside (if visible), using one to two sachets per plant.
• Each sachet contains a mixture of immature and adult mite predators for continued emergence over ≈4-6 weeks.

Sachets on Sticks: Use during propagation when plants cannot support sachets. Place one stick per propagation tray. Repeat releases every 4 weeks.

Environment: Outdoor Crops, Orchards, Vineyards, Nurseries, Greenhouses, Indoor Crops, Interiorscapes, Container Plants

Storage: Use within 18 hours of receipt. If not releasing immediately, keep in a cool dark place out of direct sunlight. Do not refrigerate.

Viability Note: If you plan to check for viability, please do so upon receipt and prior to releasing the beneficial insects. Many predators and parasites are small and can be difficult to spot once released. If you believe there are issues with viability, please contact us.

Shipping Info

When Will My Order Ship?

• Ships via Overnight shipping methods only. This does not take processing time into account. Overnight Shipping refers to the time frame for delivery after the shipment date.
• Orders ship on Tuesdays only.
• Order by Tuesday for shipment the following Tuesday. 7-day minimum lead time prior to shipment.
• For any questions about shipping restrictions or dates, please call us at 1-800-827-2847.
• Ordering Cutoff is Tuesday at Noon.

Technical

Warning & Toxicities: Do not use adjacent to heating pipes. A. swirskii will eat immature A. cucumeris making them unsuitable for use together.

Life Cycle: Eggs hatch into larvae that molt into nymphs approximately 2 days after being laid. During the next 7-10 days, the nymphs feed on thrips. Once they mature, the adult thrips predators consume one thrips per day. Adults live up to 30 days with females laying up to 35 eggs during that time.

A. cucumeris can be found on the underside of the leaves or inside the flowers. The mites feed on pollen as well, so a supplement of Good Bug Power Meal will help ensure that your thrips predators stay where they're needed. Cover cropping and intercropping can provide alternative habitat in the absence of other food sources in the crops where being grown.

Shelf Life: Use within 18 hours of receipt.

* Without prey, N. cucumeris will feed on the eggs and immature life stages of P. persimilis and all life stages of A. swirskii. They will also feed on pollen available on the plants.

** When controlling established thrips populations, consider using Minute Pirate Bugs to gain control and A. cucumeris to maintain control.