Spider Mite Predator Stethorus punctillum

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.

These tiny 1.5-2 mm. black beetles (Stethorus punctillum) are relatively new to the commercial biocontrol industry, although they have been around for a while.

These Spider Mite Predator beetles, as their name implies, have a pretty impressive track record for controlling various spider mites. Being beetles — which are fairly opportunistic by nature — they may impact other critters, as well. There is no indication that predatory spider mites are at risk of being eaten, however. This is probably because predatory mites are very fast and tend not to hang out on one leaf for too long.

Stethorus punctillum look similar to Delphastus cataliniae but tend to be a little hairy like their scale eating cousins, Rhyzobius lophanthae.

Each order contains 100 adults that are pre-fed and pre-mated and begin feeding and reproducing without too much delay.

Beetle Information:

Typically control: two-spotted mite, carmine red mite (Tetranychus urticae and T. cinnabarinus, respectively); the European red mite (Panonychus ulmi); and another species, Metatetranychus ulmi, for which there is no common name, if it has one, is unknown to me, but may be a synonym for the European red mite mentioned above, and possibly other mites.

Life-span: 18 days in their immature stages, then 4-5 weeks as adults

Optimum conditions: 69-90°F with a relative humidity of around 60% (but not mandatory for success)

Provide outstanding results in the short- and long-term

They can fly and can enter trees

Usages: Anywhere mites occur and best results so far in greenhouse environments