Stethorus punctillum – Biological Spider Mite Control

Description

Stethorus punctillum is a specialized spider mite predator in the lady beetle family. Adult beetles can fly and have an unusually good ability to find small infestations of spider mite. Best control of spider mites is achieved when S. punctillum is used along with predatory mites P. persimilis or A. fallacis.

Targets:Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), European red mite (Panonychus ulmi), spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguis), Southern red mite (Oligonychus ilicis) and Lewis mite.

Application Rate

0.5-4 beetles per 10 square feet of crop canopy.

Instructions for Use

Stethorus are sold in small containers of 100 adults.
Shipped in shredded paper to provide protection.
Mortality in container should be less than 10%.
Once the beetles warm up they become active immediately and should be released into spider mite infested areas as soon as possible.
If necessary, beetles can be stored for a few days at 50-61ºF.
Longer storage without food will reduce egg laying and adult life span.
Shipped fresh, quality guaranteed. Natural pest control without using toxic chemicals.

For prevention of Lewis mite, start August 1 and apply 0.3 to 1.0 beetles/m2 bi-weekly. For infested areas apply 3/m2 and in the middle of the house at 0.3/m2. The beetles centrally released will focus on new or unknown hotspots and also supplement problem areas.

FOR YOUR FILES: Stethorus punctillum Tech Sheet (PDF)

Order deadline: Orders must be received by noon on Friday PT for shipment the following week. For out of Washington state, please select FedEx Priority Overnight Shipping as these animals are highly perishable.Questions? Call us at (360) 656-6680. See order deadlines & shipping and release instructions for details.