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
Game-changing field access
Drones effortlessly reach inaccessible fields, even in muddy conditions when tractors or human workers can’t enter. Practical and efficient.
Improved establishment
Unlike manual release, drones offer calibrated release rates without experiencing fatigue, ensuring consistent application of beneficials from the air. Effortlessly achieving uniform distribution.
Maximized labor efficiency
Drones can cover an acre in under a minute, making them exceptionally well-suited for applying beneficial insects and mites. Unaffected by ground obstacles like springler pipes, drones effortlessly navigate and ensure precision application. This frees up field crews to concentrate on other important tasks.
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.
“The lack of incentives for adopting IPM is probably the strongest barrier” – Surendra Dara of the UC Cooperative Extension
A discussion with Surendra Dara of the University of California Extension about some of the advantages of IPM, the current lack of incentives for its adoption, the difference between IPM and organic practices as well as the need for better field scouting and education.
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.