Overview of research
In 2005, WUR Greenhouse Horticulture carried out a greenhouse trial looking at how different species of predatory mites establish themselves in carnations in the presence of carmine spider mite (Tetranychus cinnabarinus). Five species of predatory mite were released in different spots in carnation beds after first introducing carmine spider mite. Five weeks after the last introduction of predatory mites, an assessment was made of which predatory mites had established themselves and the distribution of those predatory mites. The spider mite specialist Phytoseiulus persimilis was very dominant, being present in large numbers and having spread across all six beds. The population of carmine spider mite was ultimately reduced to an acceptable level. The only predatory mite besides P. persimilis that was able to establish itself was A. swirskii, albeit in much lower numbers (see graph). In the case of A. cucumeris, a number of mites were found, and there was no trace at all of the other species released. The extent to which A. swirskii is able to establish itself in carnation crops in the presence of thrips is not yet known, nor is it known whether it can make a real contribution to combating thrips and spider mite.
Results
A. swirskii can establish itself in carnations crops.
