Stethorus punctillum - Spider Mite Destroyer
TARGET PESTS
Two-Spotted Spider Mites (Tetranychus urticae), European Red Mites (Panonychusulmi), Spruce Spider Mites (Oligonycus ununguis) and Southern Red Mites (Oligonychus ilicis).
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
SHIPPED FRESH & QUALITY GUARANTEED
Spider mite destroyer.
Stethorus punctillum is a member of the Coccinellid Beetle family, commonly known as ladybugs. These Spider Mite Destroyers are spider mite specialists but will supplement their diet with aphids and other small soft-bodied insects when spider mite populations are low. They are recognized by their distinctive round, dome shape, dark brown to black body about 1.5mm in size, fine hairs on its wing covers, and characteristic brownish-yellow markings on its mouth parts, legs, and antennae. Both the adults and larvae play a crucial role in targeting spider mites at all stages, especially two spotted spider mites.
Females lay small, oval-shaped eggs on the undersides of plant leaves, close to areas infested with spider mites. The eggs hatch within 2-3 days into elongated, alligator-like larvae that actively feed on immature spider mites. The larval stage is a critical period for predation on pest populations before entering the pupal stage for about 4-7 days. When fully formed adults emerge, they continue to feed on spider mites in all life stages, and other soft-bodied pests if necessary, for their 2-4 week lifespan.INTRODUCTION RATES
10 Beetles per infested plant, weekly, 3-4 times.
Or 100 beetles per "Hot Spot," weekly until established
Temperature Range: 68-86°F
Humidity: 60-80%
APPLICATION
Locate plants with Spider Mite infestations. Disperse beetles onto infested area by sprinkling bottle contents directly onto plants. Leave open container in place for 24 hours to allow any remaining beetles to be introduced.
PRO TIPS
- For complete control of a spider mite infestation, use in conjunction with predatory mites such as:
Amblyseius andersoni - Generalist that tolerates high heats
Amblyseius cucumeris - Thrips & Spider Mite Control
Amblyseius swirskii - Spider Mite, Thrips, & Whitefly Control
Neoseiulus californicus - Generalist that tolerates high heats
Phytoseiulus persimilis - Two-Spotted Spider Mite Specialist
- For complete control of a spider mite infestation, use in conjunction with Feltiella acarisuga, an effective predator of spider mites that can fly.
- Proper identification of the pest species is important. Monitoring the crop closely and introducing beneficial insects early will help in control pest populations.
- Pesticides, even wetting agents, and spreader-stickers may adversely affect beneficial insects' survival. Broad spectrum and systemic insecticides are toxic.
STORAGE
DISCLAIMER
STORE POLICIES
Thank you for shopping with us! Before placing an order, please review our policies on Shipping & Processing, Live Delivery Guarantee, and Returns/Replacements. By completing your purchase, you agree to these terms.
We do not provide recommendations on pesticide use. Any product purchased is intended for home use only and not for commercial use.
At NaturesGoodGuys, we are committed to delivering healthy, high-quality beneficial insects to support your gardening success. If your insects arrive non-viable, contact us within 48 hours of delivery at info@naturesgoodguys.com with your order number and a detailed description of the issue. Photos of the insects and packaging may be required. Our team will assess the situation and work toward a suitable resolution.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
- The "Live Delivery Guarantee" applies only to the condition of the insects upon delivery and does not cover loss due to incorrect storage or later perish-ability.
- We evaluate eligibility on a a case-by-case basis, considering factors like species, hatching times, and temperature conditions.
- Replacements are processed and shipped on Wednesdays & Thursdays only.
UPON DELIVERY
- Open your package immediately and check for storage instructions. Some insects require refrigeration, and improper storage voids the guarantee.
- Ice packs are not expected to remain frozen upon arrival—they are only used to help regulate temperature and moisture during transit.
- Some insects may appear inactive at first. Allow time for them to adjust before assessing viability. Many species require magnification to be seen clearly.
SHIPPING CONSIDERATIONS
- Some species or quantities have limited shipping options to ensure short transit times for viability.
- If you are concerned about insect health during transit, we recommend selecting overnight shipping to reduce stress and improve survival rates.
We do our best to keep all products in stock, but nature doesn’t always follow our schedule! Because we work with the natural reproductive cycles of living organisms, occasional delays may occur.
Some insects are harvested on specific days, and at times, a harvest may be delayed. If this happens, we will ship your order as soon as possible and notify you via email or phone if there is a significant delay.
SEASONAL & WEATHER DELAYS
Extreme weather and seasonal conditions can impact shipping times and the viability of live insects. To ensure the best possible arrival, we may delay shipments during severe heat waves, cold spells, or other extreme conditions. If your order is affected, we will hold it temporarily and ship when conditions improve. You will be notified via email or phone if there is a significant delay.
CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS
Due to our high order volume, any changes or cancellations must be requested within 30 minutes of placing your order. If your order has already entered production, we will do our best to accommodate your request, but we cannot guarantee modifications or cancellations at that stage.
RETURNS & REPLACEMENTS
If you receive an item that is damaged, defective, or incorrect, please contact us immediately upon receiving your shipment so we can resolve the issue. Replacements may be issued if the order qualifies under our Live Delivery Guarantee. Eligibility is determined by our customer support team.
WHEN REPLACEMENTS ARE NOT COVERED
While we are happy to replace damaged, lost, or incorrect packages, we cannot replace orders in the following situations:
INCORRECT SHIPPING INFORMATION
- If an incorrect address was entered at checkout, we cannot replace the order.
- If you notice an address error before your order has been processed, contact us immediately so we can attempt to correct it.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW STORAGE & USE INSTRUCTIONS
- Each order includes detailed instructions on proper storage and use, which are also available on our website.
- Failure to follow these instructions, or using a product incorrectly, may result in unsatisfactory results.
- Our customer service team will assess whether proper handling steps were followed before considering a claim.
DELAYED PACKAGE RETRIEVAL
- If a package is left outside, in a mailbox, or returned to the post office due to the recipient being unavailable at delivery, this can stress or kill live insects.
- We do not replace orders that perish due to delayed retrieval.
- Tracking information is provided for all shipments—please ensure you are available to receive your order.