Amblyseius cucumeris

Thrips can be a challenging pest to control, but there is a powerful weapon in the form of Amblyseius cucumeris that growers deploy to target them during their vulnerable stages. Although small in size, A. cucumeris is an aggressive and efficient predatory mite, especially when released preventively on thrips-prone crops. Once dispersed throughout the crop, these mighty mites strategically position themselves to ambush and prey upon the eggs and immature stages of thrips.

With precision, A. cucumeris pierces the bodies of its prey, extracting their contents without a trace. While it may consume one thrips or other pest per day (which, given its size, is still significant), the true power of these mites lies in their reproductive potential. Female A. cucumeris can lay up to 35 eggs per day, rapidly building a formidable army to protect your crops.

What Amblyseius cucumeris prefers to feed on:

A. Cucumeris is a highly effective generalist predator, adept at feeding on immature stages of various thrips species, including western flower thrips, onion thrips, melon thrips, common blossom thrips, and chilli thrips. Additionally, it targets whiteflies and a range of mite species, such as broad mite, cyclamen mite, spider mite, and tomato russet mite. A. Cucumeris can also eat a significant number of Asian citrus psyllid eggs

Amblyseius cucumeris preferred environmental conditions:

Amblyseuys cucumeris is most effective in temperatures ranging between 60°F and 77°F and relative humidity above 65%. For higher temperatures, Swirskii can be a great alternative but do not release them together as these combatants might end up killing each other.