Type of use

Preventative and curative

 

Targets

All thrips

 

Conditions of use

  • Temperature range 12 – 35°C / 54 – 95°F
  • Optimum Humidity range 70 – 80%

 

Alternative sources of food

  • Sciarid flies
  • Shore flies
  • Other soil dwelling organisms inc larvae of small dipteran sp.

 

Information

Staphyline contains the relatively large (5-6mm) predatory rove beetle Atheta coriaria which preys on a range of soil organisms.  Native to many countries it will establish well in most conditions.

Atheta coriaria (Dalotia coriaria) is a generalist feeder, but adults and young stages are particularly good at feeding on the larvae of fungus gnats (Bradysia spp, Lycoriella spp, and Sciara spp) and shoreflies (Scatella spp).  It will also feed on a range of other soil organisms. These include mature larvae of Frankliniella occidentalis which drop to the soil to pupate, and larvae of other pest insects.  Reports state that it will also feed on root aphids, root mealybug and springtails.

Tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, humidity, light, irrigation and soil conditions, makes them more suitable for year-round use in the greenhouse than other predators. If introduced early in the growing season with careful management, good populations will build up in the greenhouse to give high levels of control.

Larvae are wingless and live in the upper layers of the soil/ compost/ litter while adults fly.  Once the pest population is reduced the adults will leave the growing area so using the Staphyline breeder bucket will allow the grower to cultivate a population giving continuous release of adults through the life of the product – replace after 6 weeks or if the contents go bad and smell.

The eggs take 3-4 days to hatch into predacious larvae, which look somewhat similar to the adults. They pupate in silken chambers. Total development time from egg – adult is 3 weeks and the adults live for about 3 weeks at 21°C – 25°C / 70°F.  It can be difficult to find Atheta back in the crop / growing medium as it doesn’t like light and is therefore active at dusk and dawn or at night. Check for larvae on the bottom side of pot or tray

 

Rates

  • Preventative control – 1 breeder bucket per 1,500 – 2,000 m2 every 6 weeks
  • Curative rates 5 – 10 per m2