Best predatory mite tor aubergine

摘要

During the last three years there has been extensive research into new predatory mites for the control of thrips and whitefly in cucumber. This has been followed by research on the effectiveness of the Amblyseius swirskii controlling thrips in aubergines. Aubergine is a completely different crop for predatory mites than cucumbers. Predatory mites can easily move across a cucumber leaf, in between the needle like hairs which stand a relatively large distance apart. In comparison an aubergine leaf is much more hairy and every hair is an umbrella shape, with sticking out hairs which cover the leaf. This felt-like leaf covering has a direct effect on the microclimate. Also, an aubergine plant produces pollen. These differences are important when it comes to the success of a predatory mite. PPO undertook the research with financing from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Safety, to see how different sorts of predatory mites can control thrips in aubergine.