Cucumeris are suitable for thrips management in most crops however plants with excessive hairs can hamper their effectiveness. Ideally the temperate temperatures between 20 -25 degrees Celsius works best for the cucumeris, however in Australian conditions this is just unrealistic for much of the year, here at Bio Works we expose the breeding rooms to temperatures that they should expect upon release, if it is 35 degrees outside then the cucumeris are bred close to this ensuring no shock to the cucumeris upon arrival at yours.

Cucumeris should be released prior to thrips incursions for best results a couple of releases are recommended and in high value or high periods of thrips pressure they should be released regularly. Cucumeris is able to maintain itself by eating pollen and mite eggs.

These predator bugs are supplied in vermiculite where they are bred and concentrations of 50-100K depending on temperatures at higher temps we tend to have more per litre. The cucumeris in vermiculite are sprinkled onto plants. Release rates vary depending on crop and thrips pressure but somewhere in the range of 5-20L per ha should be applied.

Want to see other predator bug options? Click the link below.

https://thegrowshop.com.au/product/1l-bucket-of-hypoaspis-predator-mites-for-fungus-gnats/