Phytoseiulus persimilis

Description

Phytoseiulus persimilis is a specialist predatory mite used to suppress two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) and bean red spider mite (Tetranychus ludeni) in fruit, ornamental and market garden crops. Adult and immature Phytoseiulus persimilis feed on pest eggs, juveniles and adults. This predatory mite is one of the oldest biological control agents, first used commercially in 1930.

Adults are pear-shaped, 0.5 mm long, with long legs. Their orange colour makes them easy to scout. The immature stages are generally a semi-transparent orange. The eggs are oval and 0.33 mm in diameter (double the size of a two-spotted spider mite egg). Persimilis is highly mobile compared to two-spotted spider mites.

Persimilis is almost entirely dependent on spider mites as food. Once their prey is depleted, predatory mite populations will decline in numbers. Persimilis can be used on a broad range of crops, both outdoors and in protected cropping situations. The predatory mite Neoseiulus fallacis and the predatory beetle Stethorus punctillum can be used with it for better control during the season.