[Mikell]

Interesting (one might even say novel) use of swirskii as infected carriers of B. bassiana.



A novel use of predatory mites for dissemination of fungal pathogen for insect biocontrol: The case of Amblyseius swirskii and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Phytoseiidae) as vectors of Beauveria bassiana against Diaphorina citri (Psyllidae)

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Mikell

Interesting (one might even say novel) use of swirskii as infected carriers of B. bassiana.



A novel use of predatory mites for dissemination of fungal pathogen for insect biocontrol: The case of Amblyseius swirskii and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Phytoseiidae) as vectors of Beauveria bassiana against Diaphorina citri (Psyllidae)

interesting i was thinking of using fugi

how would one tell the dif between swirskii and broads?

i had my macro setup ready and took some photos of the swirskii coming out the bags but they were smaller than the broads, whiter too

although i couldnt get a usable photo internet searches show they look very very similar

[moses wellfleet]

Swirskii are larger than broad mites by a long way!

[heady blunts]

the mandibles of predator mites point forward while those of sap suckers points down.

also predator mites tend to be quick! the pests dont move around as much.

also what moses said

[Mikell]

You may have been observing the larval or nymph stages of swirskii (proto and deutonymphs for the dorks amungus).

Larvae are the easiest to ID, having three pairs of legs as opposed to four in all other stages.

I'd caution against using any study as proof positive something will work. While the one posted is preferable (plants were used!), what works in a controlled setting may not "in the field".

Not to say don't try (I would if I could), just not to come at it with high expectations.

[Dion]

Sounds about right seen as Moses says they r bigger, kinda remember reading that too

Seen as u and Moses reckon control for 2 weeks I'll ride it out and observe til New Years

If they r able to establish and breed then they should still be around in large numbers

Thanks for the help gang

[heady blunts]

swirskii are expensive but they earn their keep. they've stuck around our garden for a couple months after being deployed. we may release another batch in a couple weeks. the numbers seem to have finally dwindled a bit.

we get the 50k breeding system from biobest and fill our own teabags to save some dollars. the breeding system comes with food stock to encourage them to stick around and breed even if they devour all your pests immediately.

we've come to love them. they're like tiny lions roaming a vast jungle. my garden partner printed out a macro of the swirskii and cut it out in a heart shape and hung it on our wall lol.

actually we used cucumeris for thrip control (way cheaper). the swirskii were ordered when we spotted early signs of two-spotted mites in late august.

[Dion]

seriously though

how do u identify them in real life?
is this friend or foe?

[Mikell]

Long forelegs extending well beyond the head of the body. Quick, darting movements. Size, if you have an accurate scale of reference.

[moses wellfleet]

Originally Posted by Dion

seriously though

how do u identify them in real life?
is this friend or foe?

View Image

View Image

Behaviour will also give you a clue.
Is it ranging through the crop? Or is it confined to a limited area like in the vicinity of new growth for example?