The Spider Mite Lady Beetle - Stethorus punctillum

Agriculture Canada field trials by Dr. Dave Raworth indicated that the Stethorus beetle will establish and improve mite control on commercial cucumber and pepper crops. Applied Bio-Nomics Ltd. has a licensing agreement from Agriculture Canada to develop this predator and started mass production in 1999. Stethorus is proving to be a voracious feeder able to fly, locate and establish itself in isolated mite infested sites.

Crop Type: greenhouse cucumber, greenhouse pepper, ornamentals and tropical nursery plants.

Standard package size: 100

Introduction Rate: use along with predatory mites by releasing 100 adult beetles into each mite hot spot as soon as spider mites are detected and continue weekly introductions for 3 weeks to establish on the crop.