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Predatory Mites: Mite-ier Than Other Pest Controls!

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Predatory Mites

Updated March 2025 | Written by: Emma Giancola- Ornamental Extension Entomology Intern
Brian Kunkel- Ornamentals IPM Extension Specialist University of Delaware

Written by: Emma Giancola- Ornamental Extension Entomology Intern and Brian Kunkel- Ornamentals IPM Extension Specialist University of Delaware

The Problem

  • Spider mites

  • Cyclamen mites

  • Broad mites

  • Rust & other eriophyid mites

  • Bulb mites

  • Thrips

  • Whiteflies

  • Scale insects

 

    two-spotted spider mite infestation on a rose. Spider mites cause leaf damage and leave behind webbing. Photo credit: Emma Giancola.
    (Figure 1) two-spotted spider mite infestation on a rose. Spider mites cause leaf damage and leave behind webbing. Photo credit: Emma Giancola.

    The above species can harm or cause visible damage (Figure 1) to plants. Pest mites use piercing/sucking mouthparts to feed on plants and can spread rapidly from plant to plant. This damage can injure or kill plants.

    These pests can be controlled with pesticides, or...

     

     

      Solution: Predatory Mites!

      Common Genera

      • Phytoseiulus

      • Amblyseius

      • Neoseiulus

      Other Genera

      • Metaseiulus

      • Galendromus

      • Over 2,500 other species of predatory mites!

      They Will Eat

      • All life stages of their mite prey

      • Eggs and immatures of non-mite prey

      Figure 2 (Above): Predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis, used to target spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). Photo credit: Koppert, Spidex Vital
      Figure 2 (Above): Predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis, used to target spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). Photo credit: Koppert, Spidex Vital
      Figure 3 (Above): Predatory mite species Neoseiulus californicus feeding on immature spider mite. Photo credit: Eric Palevsky, from "Arthropod Pest Management in Organic Vegetable Greenhouses"
      Figure 3 (Above): Predatory mite species Neoseiulus californicus feeding on immature spider mite. Photo credit: Eric Palevsky, from "Arthropod Pest Management in Organic Vegetable Greenhouses"

      What Do They Look Like?

      Pest mite appearance (use a hand lens):

      As Eggs

      • Small, on the underside of leaves 

      • Spherical

      • Opaque or colored

      As Larvae

      • 6 Legs

      As Nymphs

      • Slightly larger than larvae, 8 legs

      As Adults

      • Extremely tiny, round, spotted bodies (females rounder than males), 8 legs

      • Generally, green color when smashed/streaked

       

        Figure 4 (above): Predatory mite species Amblyseius swirskii. Photo credit: Arbico Organics.
        Figure 4 (above): Predatory mite species Amblyseius swirskii. Photo credit: Arbico Organics.

        What Do They Look Like?

        Predatory mite appearance (use a hand lens):

        As Eggs

        • Small, on the underside of leaves

        • Oblong

        • Translucent white

        As Larvae

        • Oval-shaped, 6 legs

        • Translucent white or light brown

        As Nymphs

        • Slightly larger than larvae, 8 legs

        As Adults (Figures 3 and 4)

        • Extremely tiny, but slightly bigger than

        • prey

        • Translucent white, light brown, green, red,

        • or orange, 8 legs (Figure 4)

        • Move more quickly than pest mites

        • Often orange when smashed/streaked



        How Do I Use Them?

        Getting Predatory Mites

        • Encourage naturally by using an untouched plant reservoir

        • Purchase sachets of predators

        • May need to be reintroduced if they leave after decimating the prey population

        Keeping Predatory Mites

        • Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides

        • This will kill the predators along with the pests!

         

         

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