Product Information

We believe that Western Predatory Mite (Galendromus occidentalis) is the most effective predaceous control for spider mites. This predatory mite reproduces rapidly and will feed on all stages of spider mite. The UC pest Management Guidelines have stated, "The western predatory mite is the most reliable mite predator."

The western predatory mite is an important and often overlooked tool in an effective web spinning mite control program. The reality is that the EPA is cracking down hard on agricultural chemicals. Omite®, one of our only effective adult miticides, is on the EPA’s chopping block. Many of the new miticides coming on to the market have limited fit with high costs and narrow application windows. The solution is to begin to build up a predator mite population in your orchards, vineyards and annual crops. This is most effectively accomplished through the release of pesticide resistant predacious mites. Once a predator mite population is established in your field, you will have taken the most important step toward controlling your web spinning mite population.

Galendromus occidentalis

Scientific Name:

Family: Acarina: Phytoseiidae
Genus: Galendromus (Metaseiulus)
Species: occidentalis

Common Name: Western Predatory Mite

Host Mites: Spider mites, Eriophyid mites.

Host plants: Deciduous fruit trees, grapes, corn, cotton, ornamental plants

Life Stages: Egg, Larvae, Protonymph, Deutonymph, Adult

Development: Completes a generation in one to two weeks depending on temperature.

Environment:

Does best in warm weather; 60 – 120 ºF
Tolerates low humidity of inland valleys
Goes into diapause with less than 11 hours of daylight.

Pesticides: It is not recommended to release predators before or after pesticide applications. A detailed list of the pesticide resistance of the Sterling strain of predatory mites is available here.

Augmentation: Release rates on tree and vine crops range from 2,500 – 5,000 western predatory mites per acre at the first sign of spider mites. Later releases will require much higher rates to be effective. Field crops generally require higher application rates on average of 5,000 to 10,000 per acre.

Release: Predators are extremely perishable! Bags contain a minimum of 10,000 predators on  bean plants. The average number of bean plants per bag ranges from 200 to 300 depending on the number of predators per plant. To release, spread the bean plants throughout the crop at the desired rate of predators per acre. 

To release predators from bottles gently rotate the bottle to evenly mix the contents. Do not shake! Sprinkle predators and carrier material onto foliage of infested plants.

Storage: Immediate release of predator into your infested crop is most desirable. If predators must be stored, they can be stored at 50-55 ºF for 1 to 2 days.