Research
It is important to have research results on biological control. We all
realize that biological control may work differently from field to field, yet
there are some results that appear to be consistent over time. We report on such
research results here -- in a simplified format. A phone number or email address
is provided so that you can directly contact the individual that provided the
research.
Research results are provided by crop -- choose from the crops below:
Almonds
Anthuriums
Apples
Avocados
Corn (dairy)
Eggplant
Foliage crops (e.g. palms)
Gerbera daisy
Grapes
Hops
Peaches
Pears
Pecans
Plums
Prunes
Roses
Strawberries
Tomatoes (greenhouse)
Walnuts
Individuals that have conducted biological control research may have their
results published at this web site.
If you want to make a contribution to the practical body of research
knowledge on biological control, send us an email.
mailto:agattack@comcast.net
Research Results By Crop
Crop: Almonds
Growing location: California San Joaquin Valley
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - occidentalis
Dosage rate: 2500-5000 per acre
Frequency/timing: treat @ 5-10% infestation - 2nd application may be needed
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): matt@sterlingnursery.com
Crop: Anthuriums
Growing location: Greenhouses
Pest: fungus gnats, spider mite, thrips
Beneficial: Hypoaspsis miles for fungus gnats, persimilis and californicus for
spider mite, and cucumeris for thrips
Dosage rate: 1 predatory mite per square foot, a cucumeris per 5 square feet
Frequency/timing: weekly during infestation
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): bwb3667@worldnet.att.net
Crop: Apples
Growing location: California San Joaquin Valley, Oregon, Washington
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - occidentalis
Dosage rate: 2500-5000 per acre
Frequency/timing: treat @ 5-10% infestation - 2nd application may be needed
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): matt@sterlingnursery.com
Crop: Avocados
Growing location: anywhere
Pest: Avocado thrips, persea mites
Beneficial: Franklinothrips spp., Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla), N. californicus
Dosage rate: Franklinothrips 2,000 to 5,000 per acre, Lacewing 10,000 to 20,000
per acre, N. californicus 2,000 to 4,000 per acre.
Frequency/timing: Beneficials should be introduced as soon as there are pests
present. However, pest inspection by a PCA (pest control advisor) or
knowledgeable crop consultant is recommended. Program design depends on a
number of factors such as geography, temp, RH, other practices, etc.
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): Buena
Biosystems,
Bugdude@BuenaBiosystems.com
or Ph:805-525-2525
Crop: Corn (dairy)
Growing location: California San Joaquin Valley
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - occidentalis
Dosage rate: 2500-5000 per acre
Frequency/timing: treat @ 5-10% infestation - 2nd application may be needed
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): matt@sterlingnursery.com
Crop: Eggplant
Growing location: California San Joaquin Valley
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - occidentalis
Dosage rate: 5000-20000 per acre
Frequency/timing: treat every two weeks
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): matt@sterlingnursery.com
Crop: Foliage Crops (e.g. palms)
Growing location: Greenhouses and Shade Houses
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - persimilis
Dosage rate: 1 per plant
Frequency/timing: Treat every 2 weeks
Expected result: spider mite control
Contact information (submitter): info@syngentabioline.com
Crop: Gerbera Daisy
Growing location: California Greenhouses
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - persimilis
Dosage rate: varies with infestation level
Frequency/timing: varies
Expected result: spider mite control
Crop: Grapes
Growing location: California
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - occidentalis, californicus
Dosage rate: 2500-10000 per acre
Frequency/timing: treat @ 5-10% infestation - 2nd application may be needed
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): matt@sterlingnursery.com
Crop: Hops
Growing location: Idaho
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - occidentalis
Dosage rate: 10000 per acre
Frequency/timing: treat @ first outbreak
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): matt@sterlingnursery.com
Crop: Peaches
Growing location: California San Joaquin Valley
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - occidentalis
Dosage rate: 2500-5000 per acre
Frequency/timing: treat @ 5-10% infestation - 2nd application may be needed
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): matt@sterlingnursery.com
Crop: Pears
Growing location: California San Joaquin Valley
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - occidentalis
Dosage rate: 2500-5000 per acre
Frequency/timing: treat @ 5-10% infestation - 2nd application may be needed
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): matt@sterlingnursery.com Crop: Pecans
Growing location: anywhere
Pest: Yellow Pecan Aphid
Beneficial: Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla rufilabris)
Frequency/timing: 10,000 eggs/larvae per acre, applied every two weeks, 2 or 3x
Expected result: reduction in pest population below economic threshold
Contact information (submitter): Buena
Biosystems,
Bugdude@BuenaBiosystems.com
or Ph:805-525-2525
Crop: Plums
Growing location: California San Joaquin Valley
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - occidentalis
Dosage rate: 2500-5000 per acre
Frequency/timing: treat @ 5-10% infestation - 2nd application may be needed
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): matt@sterlingnursery.com
Crop: Prunes
Growing location: California San Joaquin Valley
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - occidentalis
Dosage rate: 2500-5000 per acre
Frequency/timing: treat @ 5-10% infestation - 2nd application may be needed
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): matt@sterlingnursery.com
Crop: Roses
Growing location: California greenhouses
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - persimilis
Dosage rate: varies with infestation level
Frequency/timing: varies
Expected result: spider mite control
Contact information (submitter): info@syngentabioline.com
Crop: Strawberries
Growing location: Coastal California - North and South
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - persimilis
Dosage rate: 1-1.5 per plant
Frequency/timing: once at first infestation
Expected result: spider mite control
Contact information (submitter): info@syngentabioline.com Crop: Strawberry botanical gardens with high canopies
Growing location: UK
Pest: Red Spider,
Thrip, Mealy bug
Beneficial: Amblyseius, Phytoseiulus, nematodes
Dosage rate: 100-300/sm
Frequency/timing: weekly
Expected result: 70-80%
Contact information (submitter): not given
Crop: Tomatoes (greenhouse)
Growing location: California San Joaquin Valley
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - occidentalis
Dosage rate: 1-2 per sq. ft.
Frequency/timing: treat @ first sighting -- then every 2-3 weeks
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): matt@sterlingnursery.com
Crop: Walnuts
Growing location: California San Joaquin Valley
Pest: spider mites
Beneficial: predatory mite - occidentalis
Dosage rate: 2500-5000 per acre
Frequency/timing: treat @ 5-10% infestation - 2nd application may be needed
Expected result: economic control
Contact information (submitter): matt@sterlingnursery.com | 
