Stratiolaelaps for Thrips and Fungus Gnat Control: Natural Soil Pest Solution
Stratiolaelaps for thrips and fungus gnat control is an essential tool for growers looking for a natural, chemical-free way to manage soil-dwelling pests. These predatory mites (Stratiolaelaps scimitus, formerly Hypoaspis miles) thrive in the top half-inch of soil and are highly effective against fungus gnats, thrips pupae, shore flies, and more.
How Stratiolaelaps Works to Control Thrips and Fungus Gnats
These predatory mites target fungus gnat larvae, thrips pupae, and springtails. By breaking the pest lifecycle at the soil stage, they help prevent outbreaks before they start. Research shows that using only Stratiolaelaps scimitus can reduce western flower thrips populations by up to 43%.
Stratiolaelaps Mite Description
Adult Stratiolaelaps scimitus mites are tan to light brown, around 0.5 mm, and oval with small setae. Newly hatched larvae are pale and six-legged, while older stages have eight legs. They thrive at 77°F but tolerate a range of temperatures.
Life Cycle and Longevity
These mites lay eggs in the soil and pass through five stages: egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult. Every stage after the larva is predatory. Under ideal conditions, they develop from egg to adult in 10–46 days and can live up to 142 days with food.
Eggs are laid in the soil but are unlikely to be seen. These mites have five developmental stages: egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult. Larvae do not feed, but every life-stage after is predatory. They will develop at temperatures from 59-86°F, but optimum is around 77°F2. However, they will survive much colder temperatures, although feeding and development will be slowed or halted altogether.
Benefits of Using Stratiolaelaps for Thrips and Fungus Gnat Control
STRATIOforce™ containing Stratiolaelaps scimitus offers:
- Reliable fungus gnat and thrips pupae control
- Shore fly reduction
- Long persistence in greenhouses
- Compatibility with other beneficials like Dalotia coriaria
Things to Keep in Mind
Stratiolaelaps mites prefer moist soils and do not thrive in dry environments or on rockwool, making them unsuitable for hydroponics and certain dry-soil crops. Fortunately, dry soil conditions usually deter fungus gnats naturally.
Scouting Tips
Try the potato slice method to attract fungus gnat larvae and their predators, or monitor pest population decline after release as an indicator of success.
Where to Use
Try the potato slice method to attract fungus gnat larvae and their predators, or monitor pest population decline after release as an indicator of success.
Release Rates for Stratiolaelaps scimitus
| Classification | Release Information |
|---|---|
| Preventative | 10 per square feet |
| With existing pest populations | 30 per square feet |
| Comments | Friable floor, potting mix, and other locations should be treated as well, not just the planting media. |
Produced in the USA by Beneficial Insectary!
Purchase
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STRATIOforce™ – soil-dwelling predatory mites (12,500/ 25,000/ 125,000)
Price range: $24.95 through $166.95 — or subscribe to save 5% Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
References
1) Shengyong Wu, Yulin Gao, Xuenong Xu, Endong Wang, Yujie Wang & Zhongren Lei (2014) Evaluation of Stratiolaelaos scimitus and Neoseiulus barkeri for biological control of thrips on greenhouse cucumbers, Biocontrol Science and Technology, 24:10, 1110-1121, DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2014.924478.
2) Ydergaard, S., Enkegaard, A., and Brodsgaard, H.F. 1997. The predatory mite Hypoaspis miles: temperature dependent life table characterisitcs on a diet of sciarid larvae, Bradysia pauper and B. trictici. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 85: 177-187
3) Wright, E.M. and Chambers, R.J. 1994. The biology of the predatory mite Hypoaspis miles (Acari: Laelapidae), a potential biological control agent of Bradysia pauper (Dipt: Sciaridae). Entomophaga 39: 225-235.