AMBLYforce™ C – thrips predator in slow release sachets

Product Description

AMBLYforce™ C is a predatory mite, Amblyseius cucumeris, used for the prevention, control, and management of thrips, with useful activity against several pest mites. This format ships in slow-release breeder sachets: the mites reproduce inside each sachet and trickle out into the crop over several weeks, giving steady, hands-off thrips control. Cucumeris was the first predatory mite observed to feed on thrips, and as a generalist it also feeds on pollen — so it can be introduced preventively in greenhouses, indoor facilities, field and row crops, and orchards.

What it targets

Thrips:

• Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)
• Flower or Eastern Thrips (F. tritici)
• Onion Thrips (Thrips tabaci)
• Greenhouse Thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis)
• Melon Thrips (Thrips palmi)

Mites:

• Cyclamen Mite
• Tomato Russet Mite (Aculops lycopersici)
• Broad Mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus)

Crops it supports

Ornamentals, hemp/cannabis, field crops, row crops, and orchard crops — in greenhouses, indoor facilities, field and row crops, and orchards.

How Amblyseius cucumeris controls thrips

Cucumeris is a phytoseiid predatory mite and the first predatory mite observed to feed on thrips. Like most Amblyseius spp., it is a generalist: the nymphal and adult stages are predatory and feed on the first larval stage of thrips. Because it targets that early larval stage, pair it with a soil-dwelling biocontrol agent that attacks the thrips pupal stage for long-term control. Cucumeris also feeds on pollen, which lets it establish in the crop ahead of a thrips outbreak.

Release Rates

Cannabis Alert: Release rate suggestions on these pages are usually not sufficient for cannabis growers. For cannabis release rates, contact us.

Release Instructions

Sachets on a stick: Use sachets on a stick for plants in propagation or those too small to support a hook. For trays or liners, put one sachet on a stick in the middle of each one (you can often use one sachet for every other tray/liner if they are touching). For pots and baskets, place the sachet in the center next to the plant so the plant grows around it. Don’t let the bottom of the sachet touch the soil, since it can wick moisture.

Sachets on a hook: For larger plants, hang a sachet on a hook on the plant itself, close to the stem. Don’t lay sachets flat on the soil, where they tend to grow mold underneath, especially with top-watering. Very tall or wide plants may need more than one sachet for adequate control.

How the sachets work: Each sachet is filled with predatory and feeder mites that allow a slow, constant release over an extended period. Sachets last up to 5 weeks, and the week number is printed on the back. If a sachet is less than five weeks old, simply leave it in the plant — sachets are water-resistant and the mites reproduce inside and exit through a tiny hole. Sachets older than five weeks from the current week should be replaced (or left in the crop if removal is difficult).

Storage: Do not cold store predatory mites for more than 8 hours. Keep them in moderate humidity at 55–65°F until ready to release. Do not store sachets in a refrigerator, air-conditioned room, or cooler — these conditions dry the sachets out and ruin them.

Monitoring: Check plants for decreasing populations of thrips larvae. Scouting for predatory mite adults can be difficult, so the most reliable method is to watch for reduced pest pressure after releases. Predatory mites are fast-moving, hide in the foliage, and ambush their prey, so they are rarely found in large numbers alongside the pest.

Advisories: Don’t let sachets dry out completely, and avoid direct sunlight. Prolonged moisture or damp conditions can degrade sachets or encourage fungal growth.