Feltiella acarisuga is a tiny gall-midge that feeds on two-spotted spider mites and various other species of spider mites. We recommend Feltiella especially when spider mite infestations are severe; they may be used with appropriate mite predators for the most effective control. They are most often used in tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, other greenhouse crops and field strawberry crops. Feltiella works best for plants which have hairy stems. Of particular interest to greenhouse growers is that they have been shown to work quite effectively in situations where other mite predators have been ineffective by themselves. APPEARANCE AND LIFE CYCLE: Ideal temperature range is 60°-77° with humidity 50-90%; they do not survive well above 86° or below 30% humidity. The entire life cycle is about 15 days. Adults are about 2 mm long, pinkish-brown, and have long legs. They do not prey on spider mites, but drink water and nectar. The female adult gall-midges actively search for spider mite colonies and deposit eggs next to them for about 5 days. Eggs laid are 0.1 x 0.25 mm in size and are shiny and translucent. They hatch in 2 days. The larvae that hatch from the eggs are 0.2- 2 mm in length and are orange-brown. They feed on all stages of the spider mite for 4-6 days, depending on the temperature, humidity, and abundance of spider mites. Larvae pupate inside a white cocoon, usually on the underside of leaves along the veins. It takes 4-6 days to produce an adult. METHOD OF RELEASE: These come as pupae on leaves, from which approximately 250 adult gall-midges will emerge. Make a hole in the paper on the lid; place the container on a rock wool slab or on the soil, but protected from direct sunlight. Allow the container to be in place for at least two weeks. High humidity increases the emergence of gall-midges. Within 3 days of egg laying, larvae will hatch, ready to devour spider-mites. RATE OF RELEASE:
For light infestations, introduce 10/1,000 sq. ft or 400/acre every 7 days, for at least 3 weeks.
For heavy infestations, introduce 25/1,000 sq. ft or 1,000/acre every 7 days, for at least 3 weeks. Shipping Included in Price
 Orders received by Thursday ship the following Monday.
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*Valid for the US 48 Contigous States. Select UPS Next Day Air at checkout. No other shipping methods are available to ship this item. If your total order includes other items, Next Day Air shipping charges may be applied to ship the other items. You may wish to place a separate order for other items to avoid being charged Next Day Air prices for those items. Be aware that your order may arrive in 2 or more shipments depending upon what you have ordered. For example, beneficial insects may arrive a few days ahead of other products based upon the shipping method that was selected or required for particular items in your order. Contact Customer Services if you have any questions about shipping rates or policies. Or read our Shipping Info & Policies.
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