Natural enemies help to limit the abundance and damage of plant-feeding mites in many gardens and landscapes. Practices that conserve (preserve) the predators can also be used.

Identification

Predatory insects and mites generally are more active than the plant-feeding pests on which they prey. Predators tend to prefer prey smaller than themselves but sometimes attack larger prey. Most predators have either chewing mouthparts or tubular mouthparts used to impale prey and suck the body contents. Each predator consumes multiple pest individuals and may feed on multiple types of pests.

Predatory mites are commonly the most important natural enemies of plant-feeding mites. Predatory species include Anystis, Amblyseius, Euseius, Neoseiulus, and Phytoseiulus species and the western predatory mite.

Common insect predators of pest mites include bigeyed bugs, brown lacewings, dustywings, green lacewings, minute pirate bugs, mite midges, the spider mite destroyer lady beetle (ladybug), spider mite rove beetle, and sixspotted thrips.

Solutions

Conserving naturally occurring predators is generally the most effective way of using natural enemies. Some natural enemies can also be purchased and released to help increase the effectives of biological control. If this strategy might be employed consult Natural Enemy Releases for Biological Control of Crop Pests. To improve the potential effectiveness of naturally occurring and any released predators, control ants, minimize dust (e.g., periodically hose or overhead irrigate small plants), and avoid the application of broad-spectrum, persistent insecticides and miticides for all garden and landscape pests.

References

For more information, see Pest Notes: Biological Control and Natural Enemies of Invertebrates, Natural Enemies Handbook or its eBook, and Protecting Natural Enemies and Pollinators from the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM).