Aerial Biocontrol For Strawberry
The most efficient way to release natural enemies in your fields
Benefits of Biocontrol in Strawberry Production
“On average, a grower using a conventional pest control program to control two-spotted spider mites will need to apply six to eight miticides through an eight-month crop. With the introduction of predaceous mites at an early time frame, the growers will only spray once or twice during the entire season on average, or may not even need to apply a single miticide, even in conventional!”
Chrissie Davis – National Account Manager of Koppert
Natural Enemies of the Two-Spotted Spider Mite
Phytoseiulus Persimilis
Neoseiulus Californicus
Advantages of releasing beneficials from a drone for strawberry growers
Easy access to the field
Drones are extremely effective in releasing beneficial insects in fields that are otherwise not accessible with a spraying tractor or even by foot because of the mud caused by the rain.
Better establishment than manual release
Obstacles in the middle of the field make it hard for field workers to release predatory mites by hand at a uniform rate, while the drone can do the application easily from the air.
Better use of your labor
Drones can cover one acre per minute, making them faster and ideal for applying beneficial insects and mites when field crews are busy performing other tasks or need to cover multiple ranches, which could take days using manual release.
Our Articles Related to Biocontrol in Strawberry
Discover some of our articles about biological control in strawberry
How to control two-spotted spider mites in strawberry production
The two-spotted spider mite causes damage early in the season: special field scouting effort needs to be implemented from February in California.
A discussion about biocontrol with Chrissie Davis of Koppert
A discussion about biocontrol and some misconceptions about it, about the history, opportunities, and challenges of its implementation in open fields, and about the new drone-based technologies used to release beneficial agents.
Biocontrol: How strawberry growers are leading the way
A discussion with Lane Stoeckle, PCA based in California, on augmentative biocontrol in strawberry production, the use of drones to release predators over large areas, and the challenge of the industry to manage soilborne diseases.
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