Spider Mite Destroyer - Stethorus punctillum
Target Pests: Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), European red mite (Panonychus ulmi), Spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguis), Southern red mite (Oligonychus ilicis)
Description: Stethorus punctillum, the Spider Mite Destroyer, is a specialized spider mite predator in the lady beetle family. Adults are tiny and oval shaped, 1.5mm (1/10 in.) long, dark brown to black in color, with brownish-yellow antennae, mouthparts and legs. Larvae are slow moving, grey with conspicuous legs. They move from plant to plant on leaves.Eggs are yellowish ovals, laid singly in or near mite colonies. Adult beetles can fly, and have an unusually good ability to find small infestations of spider mites.
0.5 - 1 per 10 square feet
30% + RH
50°F +
Target Pests: Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), European red mite (Panonychus ulmi), Spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguis), Southern red mite (Oligonychus ilicis)
Description: Stethorus punctillum, the Spider Mite Destroyer, is a specialized spider mite predator in the lady beetle family. Adults are tiny and oval shaped, 1.5mm (1/10 in.) long, dark brown to black in color, with brownish-yellow antennae, mouthparts and legs. Larvae are slow moving, grey with conspicuous legs. They move from plant to plant on leaves.Eggs are yellowish ovals, laid singly in or near mite colonies. Adult beetles can fly, and have an unusually good ability to find small infestations of spider mites.
Use in Biological Control: When combined with other biological control agents such as predatory mites, Stethorus can improve the management of a variety of pest mites in greenhouses, interior plantscapes, and nurseries. Optimum conditions are moderate to high temperatures of 67-90°F (16-35°C). They may remain active and feed, but will not fly at temperatures below 54°F.
Monitoring Tips: Watch for small grey larvae and pupae on the undersides of leaves in areas with the earliest spider mite damage. After 4-5 weeks, the first adult Stethorus should be found in areas with spider mites. Two months after the first introductions, all stages of Stethorus should be present in the oldest mite infested areas.
Life Cycle: The complete life cycle takes 14-20 days at 70-80°F. Female beetles lay 3-13 eggs per day. Over their long life span (up to 2 years), females can lay over 1,000 eggs. Females must eat 20-40 spider mites per day to initiate and sustain egg laying. Larvae feed for 10-14 days, and a single larva can consume 240 spider mites as it develops from egg to adult.Older larvae migrate down the plant to pupate. Pupae are often found along leaf veins on the undersides of leaves. Adults emerge from pupae in 6-7 days. Both larvae and adult beetles feed on all stages of mites. Adults can eat over 50 mite eggs or 10 adult mites per day. If food is scarce, they will also feed on other small arthropod eggs, aphids, nectar and pollen, and will even cannibalize their own species.
For Best Results: Best control of spider mites is achieved when Stethorus is used along with predatory mites (Fallacis and Persimilis). Use care when removing leaves from infested plants. Keep any leaves with Stethorus pupae in the greenhouse until adult beetles have emerged.