Merciless gall midge larvae

What is Feltiella-System?

• The gall midge Feltiella acarisuga of which the larvae are beneficials
• The larvae feed on various species of spider mite in any developmental stage such as the two spotted spider mite and the carmine spider mite
• The adult gall midges feed on pollen and nectar
• Immediately after hatching, the larvae start sucking their prey empty
• The female has excellent searching ability for spider mite hot spots where she can lay more than a 100 eggs

What are the advantages of Feltiella-System?

• Also active in cold and dark weather in spring and autumn
• Eats 30 spider mites in various stages, which is at least 5 times as many as the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis
• Contrary to some other gall midge species, larvae of Feltiella acarisuga do not cause damage by forming galls on leaves
• The larvae also eat spider mites that are in diapause

In which crops you can introduce Feltiella-System?

• Vegetable crops such as tomato, sweet pepper and eggplant
• Soft fruit such as strawberry
• Ornamentals crops such as anthurium, rose and gerbera

Want to know more? Contact your Biobest advisor for tailored advice.

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