Predatory Mites Expected Life

[Halibut]

Howdy all. I've been reading post on controlling spider mites with predatory mites. Tons of material to go through, which is great, but I haven't found anything YET about what happens to these mites after they've wiped out the bad mites. Do they remain on the plant through harvest? I did read somewhere that after they have eaten all the bad mites, they turn on themselves, leaving no mites behind.

 

[moses wellfleet]

Howdy all. I've been reading post on controlling spider mites with predatory mites. Tons of material to go through, which is great, but I haven't found anything YET about what happens to these mites after they've wiped out the bad mites. Do they remain on the plant through harvest? I did read somewhere that after they have eaten all the bad mites, they turn on themselves, leaving no mites behind.

It won't affect your harvest, they move off to look for prey elsewhere. Especially in the case of persimilis which move very rapidly.

 

[Mikell]

Each variety is different. This would be a book long post to explain it proper. Some diapause, others Battle Royale.

Google is your friend. Seafour has collected much information in the Organic subforum.

Complete control is rarely if ever the result of predator introduction. The philosophy is to introduce natural predators to reduce the damage of pests.

Unless measures are taken mite/egg husks, shite and the like remain.

I've come across few references to how far an individual can travel. I imagine there are more than a few variables.

Populations can move from ground cover to populate an infested tree, but that's a different arena.

Ambulatory dispersal is a good search term.

Truth be told most mites die through dehydration IMO. When pest populations decline cannabilization of immature young occurs but given the wide spread habit of never providing water sources (trays, misting, etc) it isn't hard to come to that conclusion, especially as hydration from predation declines.

 

[Halibut]

Thanks you guys. More leads to go on that I hadn't thought of.
So many variables to digest. Something to do while it's cold and snowy outside.

Thanks again