Stratiolaelaps Scimitus | Hypoapsis Miles | Fungus Gnat Predator | STRATIOforce
12,500 - 16oz Bottle in Peat Moss/Vermiculite
$21.00
Sale price
$21.00
Regular price
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Stratiolaelaps Scimitus | Hypoapsis Miles | Fungus Gnat Predator | STRATIOforce
$21.00
Sale price
$21.00
Regular price
SKU: SS12
Order by Thursday at 11AM PST to receive the following week.
Product Description
STRATIOforce™ is the soil-dwelling predatory mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus, used to prevent, control, and manage fungus gnats and the soil-pupating stages of certain thrips. It lives and hunts in the top layer of soil and media, cleaning up pests before they emerge as adults. An underrated benefit is its appetite for thrips pupae — using S. scimitus alone has been shown to cut western flower thrips populations by around 43%. Use it in vegetable, soft fruit, and ornamental crops, and hemp/cannabis.
What it targets
- Fungus Gnat spp.
- Thrips spp. (soil-pupating stages)
- Some Shore Fly spp.
- Springtails and other soil pests
Crops it supports
Vegetable crops, soft fruits, ornamental crops, and hemp/cannabis — in greenhouses, indoor facilities, fields, and gardens.
How Stratiolaelaps scimitus controls soil pests
These mites live in the top half-inch of soil and media, where fungus gnat larvae and thrips pupae and pre-pupae develop, and feed on them directly. Their affinity for thrips pupae makes them a valuable part of a layered thrips program, working below the canopy while foliar predators work above it.
Release Rates
| Classification | Release Information |
|---|---|
| Preventative | 10 per sq. ft. |
| With existing pest populations | 30 per sq. ft. |
Friable floors, potting mix, and other surfaces should be treated as well — not just the planting media.
Cannabis Alert: Release rate suggestions on these pages are usually not sufficient for cannabis growers. For cannabis release rates, contact us.
Release Instructions
From a bottle: Gently rotate the bottle to distribute the mites evenly within the carrier. Unscrew the lid, remove the filter paper, put the lid back on, and tap the mites out of the bottle evenly onto the soil. Concentrate the bulk at release points near the most heavily infested or active breeding areas. Leave the empty bottle, cap removed, in the treatment area for 24 hours so all mites can exit.
From a bag: Gently rotate the bag to distribute the mites within the carrier, then open it at the seal and sprinkle the contents evenly onto slightly damp growing media, soil, or ground cover using the dispensing scoop. Use a higher concentration in hot spots. These mites should also be released onto dirt and gravel floors, around greenhouse weeds, and under benches and ground covers — anywhere fungus gnat larvae and pupae or thrips pupae and pre-pupae may develop.
Storage: The product can be stored at 50–60°F for about two days. The bottles and bags ship with a food source; once it runs out the mites will start attacking each other, so release promptly. Store the bottles on their side with the filter paper up to give the mites more surface area.
Monitoring: The potato test works well — place a slice of potato on the soil to attract fungus gnat larvae and their predators, and check it after a few days. S. scimitus can often be found on or near the potato slice after a couple of days, though the best measure of whether they are in the crop and doing their job is a reduction in pests a few days after release.
Advisories: These mites cannot handle dry soil, so they may not be an option in certain herbs, cacti, and succulents. They also do not take being on rockwool very well, which means they cannot be used in hydroponics.
Life Cycle
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Egg & larval stages | Eggs are laid in the soil and hatch into larvae in 1–3 days. Larvae are small, translucent, and have only 6 legs |
| Nymphal stages | Nymphal stages are larger and darker than the larvae and have 8 legs. Nymphs closely resemble adults, but smaller |
| Adult | Tan in color, approximately 0.25 mm long. Can be found moving rapidly over the soil surface. Lives, eats, and reproduces in the soil medium. Females produce 2–3 eggs per day |
Disclosures
Live product: Beneficial Insectary strives to guarantee the live delivery of the freshest organisms to our customers. We offer replacements or credits for any compromised shipments to our customers that report any issues or concerns within 24 hours. These issues or concerns must be relayed before releasing any organisms that are suspected of having viability issues. Please do not discard the product. You may be requested to return the shipment for further analysis.
Establishment of BCAs in crop settings: Many variables can negatively or positively impact BCA and pest populations in the various crops we work with — pesticide applications, watering practices, improper storage methods, and cultural, physical, or mechanical controls among them. Some beneficial organisms require a steady pest presence as a food source to build their population. Others may require alternate food sources, such as pollen or nectar. Others still have specific photoperiod requirements for success. Due to these variables, we cannot guarantee the long- or short-term establishment of the BCAs we sell after the release of the organisms. We will not offer refunds, discounts, or other credits on products that have already been released. Please adhere to our live-product disclosure above.