BioStethorus (Stethorus punctillum) is a specialized spider mite predator in the lady beetle family (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The target pests include two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), European red mite (Panonychus ulmi), spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguis), Southern red spider mite (Oligonychus ilicis) and McDaniel spider mite (Tetranychus mcdanieli).
Adults are dark brown to black oval-shaped beetles with brownish-yellow antennae, mouthparts and legs. They are tiny, about 1.5mm (1/10 inch) long. S. punctillum eggs are white to pale yellow and the larvae dark grey to black with spiny hairs, BioStethorus deposits their eggs singly, on the underside of leaves infested with mites. While the larvae are slow moving, adult beetles can fly and find small spider mite infestations. Both larvae and adult beetles feed on all stages of spider mites. If prey is scarce, they will also feed on other small arthropod eggs, aphids, nectar, pollen and will cannibalise their own species.
Consult your local BioBee representative for additional details.
Target Pests
Product
- 100 adult beetles packaged in a plastic bottle
- D-boxes can be used to apply the beetles throughout the crop
Application
- Once the beetles are received, they should be released in spider mite infested areas as soon as possible.
- Open the container and place the shredded papers on the foliage near spider mite hot spots. Alternatively, place small piles of the product directly onto the leaves, within the foliage or in a D-box, hung inside the canopy, within the shade.
- Introduce early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are milder.
- In field crops, releasing BioStethorus “upwind” will help them locate potential spider mite colonies
- S. punctillum will sometimes ‘play dead’ for a while after being disturbed.
Do not expose the bottles to direct sunlight.
Before combining BioStethorus with any chemical pesticide in the crop, please consult your BioBee technical field representative.
Storage
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Recommended temperature
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Do not store in sunlight
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Apply early morning or late afternoon
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Store horizontally
Disclaimer
BioBee Sde Eliyahu Ltd. produces and markets biological products. Production is carried out using innovative techniques under controlled quality assurance standards such as ISO 9001:2015, as well as IOBC’s international standards for mass-production of insects. All products are tested to meet specification requirements before leaving the factory.
The success of biological pest control is affected by the crop’s initial pest population (upon application of the product), weather conditions and chemical residue present in the crop, among other possible aggravating factors.
Under no circumstance shall BioBee be liable for the outcome of the implementation in the field, as it has no control over local conditions, the application method, or the possible improper treatment/storage of the product.
