Phytoseiulus persimilis - Description

As the first predatory mite used in pest management, Persimilis is renowned for its ferocity as a Type I predator, preying exclusively on webbing spider mites. Recognizable by their long front legs and red bodies, Persimilis can devour up to 35 food units daily while laying 4-7 eggs themselves. However, specific conditions, including consistent 70% relative humidity within the plant canopy, are necessary for their eggs to hatch and establish a reproducing population, which may not suit all growers. Persimilis proves effective in targeting "hot spots" within crops experiencing higher infestations of webbing spider mites, swiftly diminishing localized infestations and making them ideal for targeted applications.

Recognized for their efficacy in managing pest mite populations, are small eight-legged predators with a pear-shaped body ranging from bright orange to red, measuring about 1mm. Their diminutive size grants them an advantage in navigating spider mite webbing, enabling effective prey consumption. Under favorable conditions, their entire life cycle, from egg to adult, takes approximately one week. Females lay translucent eggs beneath leaves near pest concentrations, which hatch within 2-3 days into larvae ready to feed on small prey like spider mite eggs. Progressing through two nymphal stages, they target larger spider mites before maturing into adults, consuming significant numbers of spider mites across all life stages.