When the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii was first announced earlier this year and credited with having the potential to control whiteflies and other pests, we were pretty interested. Seemingly overnight this predator was introduced and offered for sale. But having seen quick introductions of this sort go bad before — and us wasting time and money researching and creating the supporting materials to properly purvey them only to be able to say we were offering the critter de jour — we decided to wait for some feedback and for science to catch up with marketing. We’re glad we did as we’ve recently got some not-so-favorable reports indicating that the jury is indeed still out for deliberations.
Now we’re not saying that N. swirskii is a bad or dangerous predator, but it is clear that there are some unanswered questions and genuine concerns making wide-spread distribution, as we are capable of doing, something we want to hold off on for a while. We have a gut-feeling that this predator won’t stay on the good guys menu for the long term. The questionable ones rarely do.
The problem with this mite, based on European trial findings, as reported by Brian Spencer of Applied Bio-nomics Ltd. — which is the largest and oldest North American producer, located in British Columbia (BC), Canada — indicate that N. swirskii has a has a passion for the eggs of Phytoseiulus persimilis. And that being the case, it is also highly suspected that the eggs of Aphidoletes aphidimyza, as well as others possibly, will also fall prey to this new mite. As a result, Applied Bio-nomics Ltd. has decided to not produce them. Knowing Brian and Applied Bio-nomics Ltd. as we do, that is enough for us to stay very reserved.
