Orius laevigatus
Orius laevigatus is used for biological control of thrips.
Orius laevigatus is a predatory insect belonging to the Anthocoridae family. This predator eats thrips. When thrips is absent,Orius laevigatus can also feed on aphids, red spider mite, whitefly, Lepidoptera eggs (cotton bollworm, tomato leaf miner etc.).Orius laevigatus can feed on pollen so establishes well on pollen-rich crops. Adult and nymphs have piercing-sucking mouthparts, this species bites the prey and sucks the content.Orius laevigatus can eat about 20 thrips per day.
Packaging
In bottle, containing 500 adults and late instar nymphs, dispersed in vermiculite.
In bottle, containing 2.000 adults and late instar nymphs, dispersed in vermiculite.
Recommended dose
When the pest density is low, release between 1 to 2 ind/m²
When the pest density is high, release 10 ind/m²
Releases are timed to coincide with first flowering.
Crops
It is used in sweet pepper, strawberry, watermelon, melon, eggplant (aubergine) and some ornamental crops. It cannot be used is in tomato crops.
Use
Before opening the bottle, set it horizontally and rotate it to mix the content. Sprinkle the predatory bugs on the leaf. If release boxes will be used to release the predator to the crop, these boxes are hung on at the middle height of the plant. These boxes not to receive direct sunlight.
It is recommended to release predator into crops either early in the morning or early evening.
A multiple release with a total number per square meter is recommended.
Handling and Storage
Keep the bottle horizontally and at a temperature of 8-10ºC.
After the bottle is received, it should be released as soon as possible.
Predator may be stored for one day. Bottles should be laid on their side.
The cold chain should be in all the transport and storage process.
Keep out of direct sunlight.