Advice
First crop
It is not per se necessary to release A. swirskii into the first crop, as no problems are experienced in this crop in most cases. You can therefore maintain your current introduction scheme for this crop.
Should thrips or whitefly be clearly apparent (50 thrips per blue sticky trap or 100 whitefly per yellow sticky trap), and the cultivation period is due to continue for at least six more weeks, the recommendation is to hang up 4000 little bags of A. swirskii per hectare.
Second, third and fourth crop
Thrips and whitefly are generally already present at the start of the second, third and fourth cultivation periods. Depending on the situation, the decision can be taken to use chemicals to start with.
No chemicals to start with
If no chemicals are to be used at the start of cultivation, the recommendation is to apply a leaf-based introduction of A. cucumeris within a few days of planting. In the same week as the leaf-based introduction, you should set out one slow-release bag of A. swirskii per three stems. If thrips or whitefly are visible present in the crop, A. swirskii will establish itself in the crop. If there is no visible infestation, it may be necessary to repeat the introduction of the cultures after five or six weeks. Assess the situation in the crop.
In order to combat whitefly, additional introductions of three parasitic wasps per m2 (1.5 Encarsia formosa and 1.5 Eretmocerus eremicus per m2) will be required four times a week, starting within one week after planting.
The combination of the predatory mite A. swirskii, which predominantly targets the eggs and crawlers (first larva stage) of the whitefly, and the parasitic wasps, which concentrate on the second, third and fourth larva stages of the whitefly, is effective because the two elements complement each other well.
Using chemicals to start with
If a number of chemical agents are initially used at the start of the cultivation period, you will need to take into account the delay required between using these agents and introducing natural enemies. Introduce one slow-release bag of A. swirskii per three stems one week after the last spray application.
Measuring infestation level
Hang up 50 Horiver sticky traps per hectare as soon as cultivation begins. Sticky traps are ideal for detecting and removing various pests. Horiver yellow for aphids, leaf miner, whitefly and thrips; Horiver-tr. blue for thrips. Counting at least 25 sticky traps per hectare each week provides important information in good time regarding the correct quantities of natural enemies to deploy.
Thrips
Release Amblyseius cucumeris onto each pot 1-2 days following planting. Later, during winter cultivation (depending on the thrips situation), hang up bags of Amblyseius cucumeris in the crop preventatively after 4-5 weeks. However, it is advisable to release Amblyseius swirskii if the numbers of thrips rise to 5 per sticky trap per week, or if there is a combination of whitefly and thrips in the crop or on the sticky traps.
In subsequent crops, release Amblyseius cucumeris onto the leaves of each plant 1-2 days following planting. Thereafter, hang up bags of Amblyseius cucumeris in the crop preventatively within one week following the leaf-based release if thrips or whitefly are not found on the sticky traps. Release Amblyseius swirskii if thrips or whitefly are detected in the crop or found on the sticky traps. Dosages are dependent on the infestation situation. In the event of an increase in the numbers of thrips, supplement this with the deployment of Orius majusculus, or spray 3-4 x Myocotal+Addit as a corrective measure.
Whitefly
During winter cultivation, begin weekly preventative releases of the parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa one week after planting or 3 weeks after the last Vertimec treatment. As soon as whitefly is caught on the sticky traps, release 1.5 Encarsia formosa/m² on a weekly basis; in cases of greater whitefly damage, modify the number of parasitic wasps, and switch to a mix of Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus. Set out additional Amblyseius swirskii slow-release bags, if this has not already been done before combating the thrips.
In subsequent crops, the first cycle of whitefly must be dealt with using Amblyseius swirskii and the deployment of parasitic wasps against whitefly is only necessary as a curative measure. Begin with whole-field introductions of three Eretmocerus eremicus and/or Eretmocerus mundus per m² four times a week as soon as whitefly are detected in the sticky traps. The type of parasitic wasp is dependent on the types of whitefly present.
Release extra Amblyseius swirskii onto whitefly hot-spots from bottles or by hanging up extra bags.
In taller crops (high wires, plants in between) and EKO (organic) crops, the predatory bug Macrolophus caliginosus is a useful addition in combating hot-spots. Excessive whitefly damage can be corrected by spraying with Mycotal-Addit.