Thrips control

The Pest

There are many species of thrips found in Britain, several of which may occasionally attack crops. The most common species found on protected crops are Thrips tabaci (onion thrips) and more recently Frankliniella occidentalis (western flower thrips or W.F.T.).
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Biological Controls

» AMBSURE (abs) Amblyseius cucumeris in units of 50 or 250 sachets
» AMBSURE (c) Amblyseius cucumeris in units of 50,000 (sprinkler pack)
» AMBSURE (cv) Amblyseius cucumeris in units of 25,000 (vermiculite sprinkler pack)
» HYPOSURE (m) Hypoaspis miles in units of 25,000 (and 50,000 for cucumbers)
» ORISURE (l) Orius laevigatus in units of 500 
» NEMASYS® F Steinernema feltiae in units of 1.25 billion

Ambsure (abs), Ambsure (c) and Ambsure (cv)

Amblyseius cucumeris is a predatory mite which feeds on immature stages of thrips, spider mites and pollen. This predator can only feed on young thrips and is not well suited to life on plants. These limitations can be overcome by frequent introductions or by the use of breeder packs.

The Amblyseius Breeder System (ABS) utilises the ability of Amblyseius to breed whilst feeding on grain mites. The breeder system consists of small packs each containing a small population of Amblyseius, and a culture of grain mites feeding on a mixture of wheatgerm and bran. Some adult Amblyseius leave the packs, whilst others remain to continue to lay eggs. So long as there is sufficient food remaining for the grain mites, and conditions within the pack remain suitable, the packs will continue to release Amblyseius. Breeder packs release Amblyseius onto the crop over an extended period of up to two months depending on the conditions in the glasshouse. This method results in larger numbers of predators in the crop and improved results over other methods of releasing Amblyseius.

Amblyseius can also be in a unit of 50,000 in bran or 25,000 in vermiculite, which can be sprinkled over the crops, or applied in a small pile to the base of some rockwool grown crops.

Directions for Use Ambsure (abs)

Directions for Use Ambsure (c)

Directions for Use Ambsure (cv)

Orisure(l)

Orius laevigatus belongs to the Anthocorid family which are well known as voracious feeders on a range of small insects, mites and pollen. There are a number of different species of Orius, out of which O. laevigatus appears to be the best of the indigenous U.K. species. 

Orius are supplied as adults in a bran-like carrier that reduces cannibalism in transit. The carrier and Orius are sprinkled onto the crop, in much the same way as Amblyseius. The highly active Orius will soon begin to feed on any thrips, mites etc. which it finds on the crop.

Directions for Use

Hyposure(m)

Hypoaspis miles is a brown coloured predatory mite. It is soil dwelling and naturally inhabits the top layer of the soil/compost to a depth of about 4cm. This predator attacks thrips which drop to the ground to pupate and will also attack other invertebrates present in the soil/compost.  Trials have shown that Hypoaspis can live for several weeks without the presence of food and with a food source adults remain active for 4 to 5 months.

Directions for Use

Nemasys® F

Nemasys® F contains a unique strain of the insect pathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae.  Applied to the foliage as a spray, the nematodes penetrate WFT adults, larvae and pre-pupae on contact. Nemasys F will not leave unsightly residues.

Nemasys® is a registered trade mark of Microbio.

Directions for Use