IPM in practice: A new approach to release beneficials

The slow-release of predatory mites using sachet technology is being trialled in Australia to improve commercial integrated pest management (IPM) practices.

Biological Services, a commercial insectary and beneficial insect provider based in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland, is trialling the sachet packaging with the predator mite Cucumeris. This beneficial is effective in controlling thrips in crops such as cucumber, capsicum and eggplant.

Biological Services Director James Altmann said the sachets provide an even placement and continuous emergence of predators for about four weeks.

“The standard approach for releasing most predatory mites into crops has been with loose material shaken over the plants,” James said.

“This approach will continue to be used for many situations but applying loose materials is often difficult to calibrate, and we know that the more even the distribution over the crop, the better the results.

“The formulation inside the sachet provides a continuous release of predators, reducing the need for multiple applications of loose material. A hook is attached to each sachet and growers simply hang them every few meters on a leaf-stem, string or wire. The mites walk out onto the crop from a small hole at the top of each package.”

Monitored field trials are currently underway with commercial growers with the aim to expand the range of predators available in sachets in early 2023, including Californicus for spidermites and Montdorensis for whitefly/thrips.