This product contains predatory thrips that can be used for the biological control of various armoured scale species. This slender predatory insect is often hidden under the armoured scales. KARNYOTHRIPS MELALEUCUS is available in units of 5000.
The predatory thrips KARNYOTHRIPS MELALEUCUS is a small; needle-shaped insect that mainly feeds on armoured scale. The adult predatory thrips are only 2 mm big. The head an thorax are brown; while the rest of the body is yellow. Larvae are transparent with red-orange spots. They live hidden under the shield ov the armoured scales and are therefore very hard to spot after release. You can only see them with a magnifying lens.
How does KARNYOTHRIPS MELALEUCUS work?
KARNYOTHRIPS MELALEUCUS is able to crawl under the shield of the armoured scale and move through the layers of armoured scales. This enables them to feed on the body or the scale; which is hidden under the cover shield. The predatory thrips move very slowly and prefer to hide. They are effective against various armoured scale species; such as boisduval scale; rose scale and oleander scale.
How to combine KARNYOTHRIPS MELALEUCUS?
Always combine KARNYOTHRIPS MELALEUCUS with another product against armoured scale; such as the parasitoids APHYTIS MELINUS and ENCARSIA CITRINA or the predatory beetles RHYZOBIUS LOPHANTHAE and CHILOCORUS NIGRITUS. The collaboration between predatory thrips; parasitoids and predatory beetle will drastically reduce the pest population.
In greenhouses: January - December
Less active in winter
T = 18°C or higher
RH = 50 - 80%
ornamental production
One package with 5000 predatory thrips suffices for 100 - 250 m².
Repeat 2-3 times.
Release at pest hot spots.
Scatter the contents of the bottle over the plants.
Can also be distributed using small, cardboard containers that can be attached to the plant.
