Regarding the predatory mite Transeius montdorensis against thrips, it is known that feeding its population extra increases its effectiveness in the chrysanthemum crop. Because this knowledge is based on old research, Koppert once again checked the effects.
In the context of a study for Perfect Chrysanthemum (in which Koppert is responsible for the crop protection), three situations were compared with each other in their own side study over several cultivation rounds:
- No extra feeding
- Extra feeding of montdorensis with a standard dosage of 2,000 Carpoglyphus lactis per m2 / week;
- Extra feeding of montdorensis with half a dose, or 1,000 C. lactis per m2 / week.
The study took place between March and October 2018. All stages of Carpoglyphus lactis were used as supplementary feed, supplemented with food for the mites.
Ellen Klein: "The extra feeding of montdorensis has a clear positive effect on the control of thrips. Moreover, the feeding system is hassle-free."
Clear conclusions
The research yielded clear conclusions.
- When the predatory mite was not fed extra, montdorensis did not lay eggs. The population in the crop thus remained smaller and the thrips pressure increased.
- When adding the reduced dose of Carpoglyphus there was egg laying. The larvae of montdorensis that hatched found sufficient food thanks to the extra feeding. As a result, the predatory mite population was larger.
- When feeding extra in the standard dose of Carpoglyphus, the population of predatory mites did not get twice as large, but clearly slightly larger when compared to half the dose.
In short: by feeding montdorensis extra, the population is developing better. And that can be seen in a significantly lower thrips pressure and with much less crop damage as a result.
A trouble-free process
"We are happy with these clear results, they confirm what we already thought", says consultant Ellen Klein. "We can now present a clear recommendation to our customers in the chrysanthemum sector: feed Montdorensis with extra Carpoglyphus lactis and you will have more effect from this predatory mite. In addition, it has already been proven that our supplementary feeding system works immediately. It really is a trouble-free method."
Tobacco thrips in chrysanthemum: tackle immediately after flying-in
Koppert took many samples during the research to get an impression of the thrips pressure at the various cultivation companies. The sample test showed that the Californian thrips were present year round in 2018. As a result of flying-in, the tobacco thrips turned up en masse from week 27. Sometimes large numbers of the pest insects could be seen on the catch plates. However, crop damage was not that bad and most growers continued using biological control.
Incidentally, never were there so many companies investigated (via identification in Koppert's lab) to establish which types of thrips exactly were present. Ellen Klein: "Because we now know that the flying-in concerned tobacco thrips, we can advise very specifically. Our advice for 2019 is to tackle the tobacco thrips after the flying-in with two sprays. After that, it is much less massive and has a much shorter presence in the crop and you can often keep it under control for the rest of the season with predators. So you have more success with biological control."
For more information:
Koppert Biological Systems
Veilingweg 14
2651 BE Berkel en Rodenrijs
The Netherlands
Tel: + 31 (0)10-5140444
Fax: +31 (0)10-5115203
www.koppert.com