Pest control by predators and parasites

The feasibility of controlling the two-spotted spider mite in apple orchards by inundative releases of the phytoseiid predatorPhytoseiulus persimilis, was studied in a field trial in northern Israel. Half a million predators released per acre, maintained high populations forca 2 months until the spider mite population dropped below the economic threshold.P. persimilis demonstrated a dispersal capacity of at least 90 m from its original release site. The ability of the predator to switch to alternative prey (the European red mite) and the economic feasibility of this non-chemical approach to spider mite control, are discussed.