Sciarid fly control
Hypo-line m.
Hypoaspis miles.
Hypoaspis miles.
Hypo-line m. is a proprietary product containing the predatory mite Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) Laelapidae, Acari.
The product is supplied to growers in a peat and vermiculite mixture. Units of 10,000 are packed in 500 cm³ cardboard tubes and units of 25,000 are packed in 1 litre cardboard tubes.
The product contains all stages of Hypoaspis miles from eggs to adults.
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Hypoaspis miles is a predatory mite which preys on a range of soil organisms. Although normally considered a soil dwelling mite, it has also been found on rodents and in their nests. It is pale brown in colour and approximately 1mm in length.
Hypoaspis miles was commercially developed for control of Sciarid flies in ornamental plants, but has shown a number of other benefits. Hypoaspis attacks and kills larvae of Sciarids, but not eggs or pupae. Up to eight, first instar larvae may be attacked and consumed each day by adult Hypoaspis. Less than one fourth instar larva will be attacked per day and large individuals may not be attacked because of their size. They can be up to seven times larger than Hypoaspis adults and even when attacked will not be completely consumed.
Hypoaspis miles is normally found within the top 1 cm of soil or potting medium, or in surface debris. It can also be seen moving over the surface of pots and benches. Hypoaspis miles females lay eggs amongst particles of soil or peat. At 20°C these hatch after 6 days to produce a six-legged larva. After 2 days, this is followed by protonymphal and deutonymphal stages, which feed actively for nearly 10 days before becoming adult. Total development from egg to adult at this temperature takes between 17 and 18 days when plentiful food is available. The quantity and quality of available food will influence development time, so that in a crop development may take longer than in the laboratory.
At 15°C the total developmental period extends to 34 days, and no development was observed at 10°C. Individuals kept at this temperature do however recover when the temperature rises. At 24°C, the development cycle shortens to approximately 12 days. Temperatures of 32°C prevent further growth and development.
Adults are reported to live for several months when food is present, and for up to 70 days in the absence of food, providing they have previously fed. This extraordinary longevity enhances the ability of Hypoaspis miles to control low level populations of Sciarids and other pests.
Because Hypoaspis miles is a generalist predator, it will also feed on a range of other soil organisms. These include mature larvae of Frankliniella occidentalis thatwhich drop to the soil to pupate., Field trials have shown that Hypoaspis miles can make a significant contribution to the control of thrips, although it must always be used with other thrips control measures.
Larvae of other pest insects such as Shore Flies ( Scatella spp., Ephyedridae), are less well controlled.
Hypoaspis miles should be used in any crop where problems with Sciarid flies are known to occur. It is most effective when released preventively, and adult mites are able to persist in the crop for a long period even in the absence of food.
Hypoaspis miles may also be used as part of a thrips control programme in long- term crops thatwhich are very sensitive to thrips damage, such as many ornamentals.
(Hypoaspis miles)
Rotate the tube several times before opening.
Rotate the lid cover to the fully open position.
Push the cut-out on the lid, where marked, to open the tube.
Shake the tube slowly to dispense the mixture onto the surface of the growing medium.
For pot plants apply at the rate of 100/m² of bench or ground area before Sciarid infestation develops. Use rates of 300/m² where there are existing infestations of Ssciarid fly.
Do not use with soil incorporated insecticides without confirming safety.
STORAGE
Use as soon as possible after receipt, and within 48 hours.
Store at 15-20° C until use
Keep out of direct sunlight.
For preventive use, release Hypoaspis miles at the rate of 100/m². Where Sciarid or thrips populations exist, increase the rate to 300/m² for more rapid reduction of numbers. Control will improve over time, as the Hypoaspis miles population becomes established.
For plants grown in pots, calculate the numbers of mites needed on the basis of the bench or ground area thatwhich the pots occupy. Where there is loose soil or other loose media under benches, Hypoaspis miles should also be applied to these areas, as they can be reservoirs of Sciarids and other pests.
To apply the product, turn the perforated disk on the lid to its maximum aperture, and push the cut out section into the container. Leaving the perforated disk at this position, apply the mites and carrier material directly to the surface of the growing medium by shaking the tube sharply. A quantity of material will be dispensed each time the tube is shaken. It is neither possible nor necessary to apply exact numbers of mites in this way: the mites are very mobile, and will soon distribute themselves more uniformly through the crop.
Do not use Hypoaspis miles as a sole means of control when there are very large populations of Sciarid Flies.
Do not use Hypoaspis miles as a sole means of control for thrips.
Hypoaspis miles will help to control populations of Sciarid flies (Bradysia spp, Lycoriella spp.) when used as directed.
It will also enhance thrips control when used as part of a programme of control measures.
There are some reports that Hypoaspis miles can reduce problems of the Obscure Mealy Bug (Pseudococcus affinis) on tomatoes, and Root Mealybug (Rhizoecus sp) on some pot plants.
Hypoaspis miles will not protect crops from high populations of Sciarids. Neither can it protect fragile crops, such as rooting cuttings, from direct damage to their roots, or indirect damage from transmission of fungal pathogens when Sciarids are common.
Where there are initially high populations, or sensitivity is high, first make an application of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae to reduce pest numbers before releasing Hypoaspis miles. Removal of moss and algae from under benches will also help to reduce populations.
The predatory Rove Beetle Atheta coriaria is also available for control of Sciarid Fly larvae, and offers some control of Shore Flies as well.
Hypoaspis miles will not control thrips when used alone: it should always be used as part of a programme of measures including Amblyseius cucumeris, Amblyseius degenerans and Orius spp. The exact choice of measures will depend upon the crop being grown.
Hypoaspis miles has proven tolerant of many insecticides applied to the foliage of crops, principally because it does not come into contact with the active ingredient.