Cucumber: Feltiella second line and preventive protection for spider mites
9 May 2017
The gall midge Feltiella acarisuga is notorious for its insatiable appetite and excellent searching skills.
It happens only very rarely that a greenhouse doesn't get a visit of the spider mite. Especially in this time of year, when temperatures rise and the air gets dryer, mite populations get a serious boost. For cucumber and gherkin growers in Western Europe, now is the time to act.
The common beneficial to control spider mite in cucumber is the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis. During peaks in mite pressure, growers can however rely on an extra beneficial to ensure a satisfying result: the gall midge Feltiella acarisuga. “Feltiella acts also like a parasite”, says Pascal Briand, IPM and Pollination Specialist at Biobest. “The females look for spider mite hot spots to lay their eggs. When these hatch, the progeny devours the helpless mites.” The gall midge’s appetite is notorious: it can eat five times more mites than persimilis.
Another advantage of Feltiella is that this beneficial has excellent searching skills. Pascal: “The females can find even the most distant pest mite hot spots in de greenhouse. So, generally, growers don’t need to worry to put Feltiella in the exact hot spots as the gall midge females will find them by themselves. Obviously, this makes Feltiella an excellent choice for preventive releases.”
Press releases: Biobest Belgium NV
Read more:
What happened in the food industry this past month?
15 April 2024
Innovation is of key importance at SIAL Paris – and nowhere is this more the case than at the SIAL Start-up Village, which is run in partnership with Sesamers.
Present in 24 countries, Sesamers is a global network of tech events that was launched in 2015 by specialists in innovation and business events. “With 10 years of experience, we help innovative businesses to shine on stage, build better events and scale their influence strategy,” the network, also known as Start-up Sesame, says. »
Frost protection: 2 degrees more with Arrigoni screens
15 April 2024
Arrigoni offers a diversified range of innovative products to mitigate low temperatures, able to prevent or reduce the incidence of frost damage. Recent tests in the UK and Italy’s Lazio region prove their efficacy. With the problems arising from climate change, late frost damage is an ever-increasing threat and events of this kind can jeopardise crops and the results of the whole farming year from the outset. »
Join at the China Business Meet Up. Secure Your Visitor Pass Today
14 April 2024
ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA invite to e meet-up series - the China Business Meet Up! Set to take place at the esteemed Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center on May 27-28, 2024, this event marks a pivotal moment in the realm of international trade and networking. »