Photo Credits: Bugwood.

org

*
Commercially Available Biological
Control Agents for Common
Greenhouse Insect Pests

*Commercially available in the United States. Updated November 2015. Bulletin 3299.

By: Heidi Wollaeger and Dr. Dave Smitley,

Michigan State University Extension and
Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Kansas State University
 Commercially Available Biological Control Agents for Aphids
Parasitoids Predators

Aphelinus Aphidius Aphidius Aphidius Aphidoletes Adalia Chrysopa Chrysoperla Hippodamia

abdominalis colemani ervi matricariae aphidimyza bipunctata carnea ryfilabris convergens

1 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 2

Parasitic Parasitic Parasitic Parasitic Predatory Ladybird Green Green Ladybird

Wasp Wasp Wasp Wasp Gall Midge Beetle Lacewing Lacewing Beetle

Parasitizes a Parasitizes smaller Parasitizes larger Parasitizes green Larval stages Both larvae and adult Larvae feed Tolerates a higher Feeds on 2,000
wide-range of aphid aphids such as aphids such as peach aphids. prey on all aphid feed on many primarily on aphids relative humidity aphids during their
species. green peach and foxglove and species different aphid but may also feed (>75%) than lifetime.
Active at cooler
melon aphid. potato aphid. encountered in species. on mealybugs. Chrysopa carnea.
Can tolerate temperatures Multiple releases
greenhouses.
higher tempera- Can be reared May be sold as a (50°F to 85°F; Used when aphid Can consume up Can consume up are usually required.
tures than most using banker plants mixture with optimum 77°F) Most effective at populations are high. to 425 aphids per to 300 aphids per
Most effective
Aphidius species. (oat or wheat) Aphidius than Aphidius temperatures week. week.
Adults typically when aphid numbers
infested with bird- colemani. colemani between 68 and
Slower to establish attempt to leave the Release 5 to 10 Release 5 to 10 are high.
cherry oat aphid (Optimum: 86°F). 80°F and a
than Aphidius Release 400 to greenhouse after eggs per plant or eggs per plant or
(use a minimum of relative humidity Adults typically
species. 2,000 adults per Release 400 to release. Therefore, 1,000 eggs per 200 1,000 eggs per 200
4 banker plants per between 70 and attempt to leave the
acre. 2,000 adults per make releases in the square feet. square feet.
Release 2 to 4 acre). 80%. greenhouse after
acre. evening.
adult wasps per 10 release. Therefore,
May be sold as a Primarily active
square feet weekly Release adults every make releases in the
mixture with at night.
or until 80-90% of 2 to 3 weeks. evening.
Aphidius ervi.
the aphids are Mainly used
Release adults
parasitized. Release 400 to against high aphid
every 2 to 3 weeks .
2,000 adults per populations.
acre.
By: Heidi Wollaeger and Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State
*All release rates are benchmarks – they will vary with crop type and infestation level. University Extension, and Dr. Ray Cloyd, Kansas State University
*Photo credits: 1Koppert Biological Systems, 2Bugwood.org or 3Evergreen Growers Supply.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color,
national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
 Commercially Available Biological Control Agents for Western Flower Thrips
Beneficial
Predators Nematode

Amblyseius Neoseiulus (=Amblyseius) Orius Stratiolaelaps Steinernema

swirskii cucumeris spp. scimitus feltiae

3 1 2 3 1

Minute Pirate Soil-dwelling

Predatory Mite Predatory Mite Beneficial Nematode
Bug Predatory Mite

Feeds on both 1st and 2nd instar Most widely used predatory mite Feed on larvae and adults of Adults may kill up to 30 prey, Apply as either a foliar spray or
larvae. for western flower thrips. western flower thrips. including western flower thrips drench to the growing medium.
pupae or fungus gnat larvae, per Drench applications target the
Tolerates higher temperatures Feeds on the 1st instar larvae. May also feed on aphids and
day. pupa stage.
than Neoseiulus cucumeris. whiteflies.
Make releases early in the crop
Release 1,000 to 2,000 per square Requires soil temperatures of 50
Will also feed on the eggs and production cycle. Can be used with ornamental pep-
foot. to 80° F to be effective.
nymphs of whiteflies. per plants serving as banker plants
Active at temperatures between 70
(example: ‘Purple Flash,’ 100 per Apply early in the morning or late
Feeds on pollen in the absence of and 75 ° F; prefers a relative humidi-
acre). in the evening.
prey. ty around 65%.
More expensive than using Water crops both before after
More expensive than Neoseiulus
Neoseiulus cucumeris. application to increase efficacy.
cucumeris.
Most effective when temperatures For foliar sprays, apply 50 million
are >60° F and day length is >12 per 1,000 square feet.
hours.
Remove screens before making
Release 0.5 to 1 per square foot. applications.
By: Heidi Wollaeger and Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State
*All release rates are benchmarks – they will vary with crop type and infestation level.
University Extension, and Dr. Ray Cloyd, Kansas State University
*Photo credits: 1Koppert Biological Systems, 2Bugwood.org or 3Evergreen Growers Supply.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, na-
tional origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
 Commercially Available Biological Control Agents for
Twospotted Spider Mites
Predators

Amblyseius Amblyseius Amblyseius Feltiella Galendromus Phytoseiulus Stethorus

andersonii californicus fallacis acarisuga occidentalis persimilis punctillum

2 2
2 1 4 1 2 3

Predatory Gall Predatory

Predatory Mite Predatory Mite Predatory Mite Midge Predatory Mite Predatory Mite Beetle
Feeds on alternative Slower acting than Tolerates cooler Larvae feed on all life Smaller than Main predatory mite Both larvae and
prey if twospotted other predatory mites temperatures than stages of the twospotted Phytoseiulus persimilis. used against the adults feed on all life
spider mites are such as Phytoseiulus most predatory mites. spider mite. twospotted spider mite. stages of twospotted
Most effective at
absent. persimilis. spider mites.
Feeds on pollen in Females lay eggs near higher temperatures Most effective at
Active at More effective at the absence of prey. colonies of the and a relative humidity temperatures between Release 10 adults
temperatures between higher temperatures twospotted spider mite. between 40 and 80%. 70 and 80° F and a rela- per square foot.
Release 10 mites per tive humidity >60%.
43 and 46° F. (>80° F) and a lower Adults fly around and
square foot. Survives well when
relative humidity than can spread among a crop. twospotted spider mite Does not perform well
Release 10 mites per
Phytoseiulus persimilis. when temperatures are
square foot. Most effective when populations are low.
Used for long-term >85° F.
used in combination with Feeds on twospotted
crops under warm, dry other biological control spider mite, broad At optimal
conditions. agents. temperatures, develops
mite and cyclamen
twice as fast as
Release 10 mites per Optimal conditions are mite.
twospotted spider mite.
square foot. 68 to 80° F and a relative
Release 10 mites per
humidity >60%. Release 10 mites per
square foot. square foot.
Does not perform well
when temperatures are
*All release rates are benchmarks – they will vary with crop type and
>85° F.
infestation level.
*Photo credits: 1Koppert Biological Systems, 2Evergreen Growers Supply, 3Wikimedia Release 10 adults per By: Heidi Wollaeger and Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State
Commons or 4Biobest. square foot. University Extension, and Dr. Ray Cloyd, Kansas State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color,
national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
 Commercially Available Biological Commercially Available Biological
Control Agents for Fungus Gnats Control Agents for Mealybugs
Beneficial
Predators Nematode Parasitoids Predators

Dalotia Stratiolaelaps Steinernema Leptomastix Anagyrus Cryptolaemus

coriaria scimitus feltiae dactylopii psedudococci montrouzieri

3 3 1 1 4 2

Predatory Rove Predatory Mite

Beetle
Beneficial Nematode Parasitic Wasp Parasitic Wasp Predatory Beetle

Apply directly onto Adults may kill 15 to 30 May be effective up to 4 Females attack only the Attacks both vine and Both larvae and adults feed
the surface of the fungus gnat larvae per day. weeks. 3rd and 4th instars of the citrus mealybugs. on all mealybug life stages.
growing medium. citrus mealybug.
Feeds on eggs, larvae and Attacks the larval stages Females attack 2nd Not effective at
Larvae and adults are pupae of fungus gnats. of fungus gnats. Effective at low through 4th instars. temperatures <50° F.
predators and highly mealybug populations.
Apply directly to the Requires a moist growing Optimal temperature Most active under warm,
mobile.
growing medium. medium and growing Release 5 parasitoid is around 86° F. sunny conditions.
Both adults and larvae medium temperature adults per 10 square
Previously known as Less effective on tomato and
are very sensitive to between 50 and 86° F. feet.
Hypoaspis miles. other crops with glandular
light.
Apply early in the morn- trichomes (hairs).
May be used in
Adults can fly and ing or late in the evening.
combination with Repeated releases
spread within a
Steinernema feltiae. Irrigate before and after (introductions) are usually
greenhouse.
application. required.
Release 1,000 to 2,000
Release 1 adult per 10
mites per square foot. Apply 50 million per Release 1 to 2 larvae or
square feet.
1,000 square feet as a adults per square foot.
drench.
By: Heidi Wollaeger and Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State
*All release rates are benchmarks -– they will vary with crop type and infestation level. University Extension, and Dr. Ray Cloyd, Kansas State University
*Photo credits: 1Koppert Biological Systems, 2Bugwood.org, 3Evergreen Growers Supply, or used with permission from 4Kent M. Daane, University of California.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color,
national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
 Commercially Available Biological Control Agents for Whiteflies
Parasitoids Predators

Encarsia formosa Eretmocerus eremicus Amblyseius swirskii Delphastus catalinae Dicyphus hesperus

1
2 2 3 4

Parasitic Wasp Parasitic Wasp Predatory Mite Predatory Beetle Predatory Mirid Bug

Most widely used parasitoid for
greenhouse whiteflies.
Most effective at higher
temperatures (>70° F).
May be ineffective on plants with
honeydew (clear, sticky liquid).
Make releases when greenhouse
whitefly populations are low.
Adult females will host feed on
nymphs.
Parasitizes sweet potato and Feeds on the eggs and Most effective when whitefly Feeds on greenhouse
greenhouse whitefly. nymphs of whiteflies and populations are high. whitefly.
larvae of western flower
Females prefer laying eggs Can feed on >150 whitefly Reared on mullein banker
thrips.
into 2nd or 3rd nymphal eggs per day. plants: requires a minimum of
instars. May also feed on pollen in 8 weeks to establish a
Will not attack parasitized
the absence of prey. sufficient population.
Tolerates higher whitefly.
temperatures and does more
May be sensitive to pesticide
host-feeding than Encarsia
residues.
formosa.

Release parasitoids every 1 to 2

weeks.

Release 2 wasps per 15 square feet

every 1-2 weeks for preventation.
By: Heidi Wollaeger and Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State
*All release rates are benchmarks – they will vary with crop type and infestation level. University Extension, and Dr. Ray Cloyd, Kansas State University
*Photo credits: 1Bugwood.org, 2Evergreen Growers Supply, 3Wikimedia Commons or 4Biobest.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color,
national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.