Greenhouse spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) pose a significant challenge to both vegetable and ornamental cultivators. These pests feed on plant juices, leading to leaf discoloration, wilting, and reduced crop quality. To address this issue, Royal Brinkman has collaborated with Agrobío to introduce PHYTOcontrol Plus, a white variant of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis. This innovative solution contains all life stages of the white Phytoseiulus in a single tube or bottle, along with food, ensuring better population development and more effective control of greenhouse spider mites.
Early detection and control of greenhouse spider mites are crucial to prevent crop damage. These pests often go unnoticed as they hide on the undersides of leaves, causing significant harm before being detected. Feeding on plant juices stunts plant growth and lowers yield quality. Biological control using Phytoseiulus persimilis, a natural enemy of spider mites, has been proven to be an effective solution.
One of the key advantages of PHYTOcontrol Plus is that it includes all life stages of the predatory mite in one tube or bottle. This ensures a continuous presence of active predators, eliminating interruptions caused by generational changes. As a result, the pressure on the spider mite population remains constant, leading to more effective and rapid pest control.
Growers who use PHYTOcontrol Plus benefit from stable, long-term crop protection. Additionally, the predatory mites turn a reddish hue after consuming spider mites, serving as a visual indicator of active control. These predatory mites can be introduced when the pest level is low, allowing for early intervention before infestations escalate and minimizing crop damage. The improved effectiveness of the white Phytoseiulus leads to lower costs and higher yields for growers.
PHYTOcontrol Plus is available in 1-liter tubes containing 25,000 predatory mites and 500 ml bottles containing 4,000 predatory mites. Application can be done manually or with the UniMite bio-distribution system. Since food is included in the tube, the predatory mites remain in place after opening, allowing for optimal distribution with UniMite. Furthermore, the white Phytoseiulus develops faster than spider mites, enabling quicker suppression of infestations.
“With the introduction of PHYTOcontrol Plus, Royal Brinkman, in collaboration with Agrobío, is taking another major step in developing new natural enemies. By harnessing the power of nature, we effectively combat pests such as greenhouse spider mites.”
In conclusion, PHYTOcontrol Plus offers growers a reliable and efficient solution for controlling greenhouse spider mites. By providing a continuous presence of active predators and a visual indicator of control, this innovative product helps minimize crop damage and increase yields. With its user-friendly application methods and proven effectiveness, PHYTOcontrol Plus is a valuable tool for cultivators seeking to protect their crops from these harmful pests.
