What is phytoseiulus persimilis (Spidex)?
The phytoseiulus persimilis predatory mite strictly feeds on two-spotted spider mite eggs-nymphs, and adults. Persimilis are best used when spider mites are first discovered, rather than as a preventative, as they die of starvation more quickly than other predatory mites. They do not go into diapause and are capable of complete eradication of the two-spotted spider mite.
Description
Persimilis only feed on the two-spotted spider mite - nothing else! It should be used as a hot spottreatment weekly, if necessary. Rates for cannabis are a continual trial. If no chemicals havebeen used, greater results are seen.
Persimilis is very effective against two-spotted spider mites in houseplants, greenhouse Cannabis, vegetables and ornamentals, interior plantscapes, and conservatories. It can also be used in warm climates on field crops such as strawberries. Optimum conditions are 68-81°F and relative humidity from 60-90%. While these are optimal conditions, they are not necessarily essential for Persimilis to be successful. Please note however, that cooler or warmer temperatures may affect reproduction and development. At optimal temperatures, the predators reproduce faster than spider mites, while at warmer and cooler temperatures, the spider mites will reproduce faster.
Life Cycle
The complete life cycle of Persimilis can range, depending on the temperature. At 86°F, it takes5 days, and at 59°F, it can take 25 days. There are 4 times as many females in the population. Females lay 2-3 eggs per day, with an average of 60 eggs over a 35-day lifetime. The eggs hatch in 2-3 days. Newly hatched predators do not eat, but later stages and adults feed on all stages of the mites. Each predator consumes between 5-30 prey per day. Persimilis do not enter diapause and therefore remain active all year round in greenhouses.
Application Tips for Best Results
How to use Spidex Boost from Koppert - YouTube
* Spidex Boost required a small incision be made on the sachet upon application, no other products require modification for use. All other sachets arrive ready to hang.
How to use Spidex Vital from Koppert
Sachets
- Hang from crop wire or immediately below plant canopy
- Do not hang adjacent to heating pipes
- Duration of sachet activity is 3-6 weeks, though longer-lasting control may be evident if the mites establish in the crop
- Use at one per 6.5ft of crop row.
Shaker Tube (Bulk)
- Shake small quantities of phytoseiulus persimilis onto the foliage, near base of plant, or...We have found it to be very effective to create multiple release points by distributing bulk product from liter containers into solo cups, with hooks or string, hang these low in the plant’s canopy.
- Avoid applying near flowers - the product and its carrier agent will stick to the trichomes.
- Introduce Amblyseius swirskii early in the crop/pest cycle to protect against pest build up.
Storage and Transport:
- Keep out of direct sunlight
- Transport and store at 50F - 59F
- Use within 18 hours of receipt
Monitoring Tips:
Persimilis are usually easy to tell from their prey, which are slow-moving, pale gray mites with two darker spots on their sides. In winter, some two-spotted mites turn a reddish color, but can still be distinguished from Persimilis by their slower movements.
Introduction Rates
Apply 5 Persimilis per 10 square feet (about the area of a bathtub)
Persimilis is most effective when applied at the first sign of a two-spotted mite infestation. Because of its high reproduction rate, persimilis usually exhausts its food supply and eventually dies out. Therefore, repeated introductions are recommended until all sites with spider mite infestations have Persimilis present. General Introduction Rates: 5 persimilis per 10 ft or 2 or 20 persimilis per infested leaf, weekly, as needed. Apply predators to each plant with problems.
Vacuuming the plants to remove adult pest mites is an effective treatment prior to introducing the predator mites. Spraying them with just water and bathing the leaves while pulling as many adults and eggs off to help prior to bringing in the predatory mites is also an effective strategy.
Use bean plants for an attractant, and then throwing them out and reintroducing new trap plants continuously.
Persimilis needs relative humidity greater than 60% to survive (especially in the egg stage). If humidity is too low, raise it by lightly misting plants or wetting skywalks. . If average temperatures are often below or above the 68-81°F range for optimum use of Persimilis, introduce Neoseiulus californicus along with Persimilis.
Persimilis should be applied the same day they are received as the quality of the product drops with storage.
Cannabis applications vary based off of infestation level, previous chemical residue (where Persimilis is no longer recommended to use), size of plants, temperature and humidity. If there are high levels of spider mites, playing catch up becomes difficult for cannabis growers as clean up may take at least 2 weeks to see results.
Effective Phytoseiulus Persimilis use in Cannabis:
Rates with Persimilis in cannabis seem to vary a little from what the traditional, registered rates would indicate. Instead of treating in meters, and as a row crop, we recommend that each plant have direct attention paid to them, for optimal results. The climate fluctuation and temperature and humidity variations, along with the plant’s rapid growth pattern, necessity to ensure proper air movement, and hairiness/stickiness of the plant all combine to make cannabis a complex and difficult crop to treat.
