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Bugs for Bugs Neoseiulus cucumeris
Bugs for Bugs Neoseiulus cucumeris introduces a foliage-dwelling predator for the juvenile stages of thrips. It is especially useful as an early part of a thrips programme, because it can survive on pollen and alternative prey while pest numbers are still low. Tube releases distribute mites directly over foliage, while the slow-release sachets provide an in-crop breeding system for protected production.
Cucumeris searches leaves and flowers for small prey. Its eggs are placed in sheltered parts of the plant, including leaf hairs and areas near veins or flowers. Feeding on immature thrips helps interrupt the developing population, but it does not immediately remove adult thrips already present. Monitoring with sticky traps and regular plant checks remains useful while the predators establish. Other agents that attack adult thrips or soil stages can complement the work being done in the foliage.
Tube releases have been used in protected vegetables, strawberries, cut flowers and nurseries, and in outdoor crops that become warm enough for the mites to feed each day. Outdoor strawberry production and stored onions are also suitable uses. Sachets have a narrower application: they need protected cropping, shelter within the canopy and protection from direct sunlight, heavy rain and strong wind. Their small exit holes allow predators to leave over time without opening the breeding system.
Pollen-bearing plants and suitable humidity help establishment, particularly when prey is scarce. Regular observation is more useful than expecting mites to be easy to find immediately after release. Mark release areas and inspect the undersides of leaves and flowers as the population develops. Cucumeris is unsuitable for tomatoes and geraniums because leaf structure and exudates prevent establishment. Check the crop's pesticide history before either tube or sachet release, and keep the handling and storage requirements of the two formats distinct.
NOTE: These are living mites with a short shelf life, so we don't hold them in store. Your order ships fresh, direct from the breeder.
Species image credits: Photo: Institut Agro Montpellier; Novljan, M., Bohinc, T., Kreiter, S., Döker, I. & Trdan, S. (2023), The indigenous species of predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as biological control agents of plant pests in Slovenia, Acarologia 63(4):1048-1061, https://doi.org/10.24349/0p4s-gjtm, Figure 3. CC BY 4.0; source; CC BY 4.0. Cropped to square and resized.
Thrips control that starts early and keeps going on pollen!
Persists With Pollen
Alternative food supports mites when prey is scarce
Offers Gradual Release
Protected-crop sachets release predators over several weeks
Targets Young Thrips
Predators feed on the pest's juvenile stages
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Bugs for Bugs Neoseiulus cucumeris
Key Highlights
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Key Highlights
- Targets western flower thrips and onion thrips
- Tubes or slow-release sachets
- Pollen and alternative prey support persistence
- Tubes suit outdoor strawberry production
- Sachets avoid spreading loose carrier over foliage
Directions for Use
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Directions for Use
Application Rate
- Tube releases for prevention: 50 mites per m² per release; make 3 releases at 2 week intervals.
- Tube releases for curative treatment: 50 - 100 mites per m² per release, repeated as required at 1 - 2 week intervals.
- Tube releases for hotspots: 100 - 250 mites per m² per release, repeated as required at 1 - 2 week intervals.
- Onions in storage using tube material: 20,000 mites per tonne of onions in a single application, sprinkled over onions sorted into bins before storage.
- Protected-crop sachets: 1 - 2 sachet pairs per m², repeated as required at 3 - 4 week intervals; position sachets 0.5 - 2 m apart along crop rows.
Application
- Introduce preventatively from flowering or at the first sign of thrips.
- Monitor thrips with sticky traps and inspect leaves and flowers for predators and their eggs.
- Tube: roll gently to mix and distribute the contents over foliage, preferably near flowers, with extra material in hotspots. Outdoors, tube releases need temperatures above 20 °C for part of each day.
- Slow-release sachets: hang pairs over a leaf stem, wire or trellis at even intervals in the top third of the plant, sheltered within the canopy. Do not puncture or tear them open; exit holes are already provided. If extra fastening is needed, place a staple at the bottom of the sachet pair without puncturing the filled breeding system.
- Slow-release sachets: for protected crops only, sheltered from direct sun, heavy rain and strong wind.
- Do not use Cucumeris in tomatoes or geraniums.
- Rates are guides and depend on the crop and infestation level.
- Maintain plant health, minimise dust and support humidity; relative humidity of at least 65% is optimal for Cucumeris.
Safety
Check pesticide history and side-effects before release. Avoid pesticides for at least 3 days afterwards where possible; some insecticides leave harmful residues for many weeks.
Release tubes promptly. If necessary, store tubes on their side for up to 3 days at 10 - 18 °C. Place sachets promptly; if necessary, store them for up to 4 days at 12 - 18 °C.
Beneficial Profile
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- Scientific Name: Neoseiulus cucumeris
- Beneficial Type: Predatory Mites
- Target Pests: Western flower thrips; Onion thrips
- Tubes: 10,000 mites or 100,000 mites
- Sachets: 10 slow-release sachet pairs
- Sachet System: Predators, prey mites and food within an in-crop breeding system
- Sachet Release Period: Typically 3 - 6 weeks, depending on conditions
10 Pairs / Slow-Release Sachets
- Product Code: NCU-1-1
10000 Mites / Tube
- Product Code: NCU-1
100000 Mites / Tube
- Product Code: NCU-4
Resources
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Resources
Shipping & Returns
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Shipping & Returns
Check delivery options for the currently selected item and quantity.
Estimate is for this item and quantity only. Final whole-order freight is confirmed at checkout.
We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
To start a return, you can contact us at info@hydrooasis.com.au
If your return is accepted, we’ll send you a return shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.
You can always contact us for any return question at info@hydrooasis.com.au.
Size: 10 Pairs, Colour: Slow-Release Sachets
