Gnat and Thrips Predator (Hypoaspis miles)

These are live insects, and in order to increase survival rate during transit, they are required to be shipped Overnight, which adds on an additional $30 to the total.

Hypoaspis miles is a soil-dwelling mite capable of the prevention, control, and management of various thrips and soil pests.

Not only are these mites predators of thrips’ prepupal and pupal stages, they are very effective fungus gnat predators as well.

Hypaspis miles are shipped in a liter container as adults, immatures and eggs in liter-size shaker canisters filled with a loose vermiculite carrier and a percentage of clean peat, and some bran added for good measure. In this form, H. miles are very easy to distribute in the crop.

These robust 0.8 mm. richly-colored tan to brown mites live, eat and reproduce in the soil or soilless medium in containers and planters and, on the walkways and floors of greenhouses (or on the Shiitake logs in the mushroom scenario). The H. miles females’ eggs — of which there are many — hatch into super small larvae which develop into tiny dark brown, almost black, nymphal forms before reaching adulthood. These, too, are fierce predators, consuming many pests, mostly the eggs and smaller larvae (first and second instar) of fungus gnats and the pupal stages of thrips.

Each order contains 25k per (liter)

Hypoaspis miles Information:

Popular Prey: gnat, thrips, springtails

Life-span: about 13 days from egg to ever-after

Optimal Living Conditions: between 60-72°F (soil temperatures) with a relative humidity equal to that found in a friable, slightly moist medium, compost or soil

Usages: Greenhouses/interiors are where these mites are most often used. However, outdoor nurserymen have also had outstanding results.

Benefits: very cost-effective and can last a very long time

Can be stored up to two weeks!