Neoseiulus cucumeris–Predatory Mite

Biocontrol Agent Factsheet

Neoseiulus cucumeris is a generalist predator used for preventative control against pest mites and thrips. This article focuses on its use outside.

Overview

Pests Targeted: Mites, psyllids, and thrips
Pest Stage: Eggs, immatures and adults.
Commercially Available? Yes
Scientific Name: Neoseiulus cucumeris, Amblyseius cucumeris (old name)
Biocontrol Agent Type: Predator

A single N. cucumeris adult (yellow, ovate body appearance) in the foreground against a green leaf surface (background). Photo is magnified using a microscope. — A single N. cucumeris adult (yellow, ovate body appearance) on a green leaf surface. Photo is magnified using a microscope. Photos by S. Willden.

Common Names

Cucumeris mite

Relative effectiveness

Neoseiulus cucumeris is a generalist predator used for preventative control against pest mites and thrips. It should not be expected to provide a quick knock-down of high-density pests compared to specialist predators, for example Phytoseiulus persimilis for spider mite control. However, this predator can persist in the environment without pests unlike specialist predators. It can therefore continue to provide low levels of control if non-prey plant resources are available.

Where to use

Many edible and ornamental plants, inside and outside

Usually ineffective on tomato due to the glandular trichomes on the leaves

About Neoseiulus Cucumeris

Neoseiulus cucumeris is one of the top produced and released biocontrol agents in the world. It was first used commercially in 1985 for thrips control in Europe and is now naturalized in many parts of the world. This species is considered a type-III generalist predator that can feed on many small invertebrates and non-prey food sources, including pollen, nectar and fungi, when prey is scarce. This diet allows N. cucumeris to persist in the environment before pests arrive. It is therefore recommended to apply N. cucumeris as a preventive control for thrips and/or plant-feeding mites when non-prey resources are available. Multiple delivery strategies are available that include a direct release from buckets or bottles (i.e., predators released at once) and a slow release via porous sachets equipped with temporary prey. If pests are not present, a slow-release system will ensure that predators do not starve or are consumed by competing predators upon release.

Native/Non-native: Non-native
Preferred climate: arid, humid, temperate, Mediterranean, cold tolerant
Region: Temperate and Mediterranean climates globally.
Established: Yes
Where established: Globally established.

Neoseiulus Cucumeris Appearance

Neoseiulus cucumeris can be found on the underside of leaves or inside flowers where prey is present. This species is indistinguishable from Neoseiulus fallacis and Neoseiulus californicus without a microscope. Neoseiulus spp. are small (0.5-1.0 mm), pear-shaped, and cream-yellow colored. They are roughly the same size as spider mites but can be distinguished from them by lack of eye spots and dense body hair. They are also highly active compared to plant-feeding mites when viewed under a hand lens.

A single N. cucumeris adult (yellow, ovate body appearance) on a green leaf surface. Photo is magnified using a microscope.

Two N. cucumeris adults (yellow-orange color)

Two N. cucumeris present on the leaf surface that is similar to what can be seen using a 20-30X hand lens.

Life Stages

Time spent in development was averaged between two studies where predators were reared on pollen and/or mite prey. For both studies, N. cucumeris were reared at 20-25°C (68-77°F) and 65-70% RH. Data by Sarwar 2014 and De Courcy Williams 2004. Artwork by S. Willden.

How to Use Neoseiulus Cucumeris for Biocontrol

Biocontrol category:

Augmentative - must be released/applied repeatedly
Conservation - attract and protect from the surrounding environment

When to use: Neoseiulus cucumeris can be applied on indoor and outdoor-grown plants where prey and/or non-prey plant resources (pollen and nectar) is available, although this article focuses on outdoor uses. Although navigation by N. cucumeris may be slowed on plants with dense leaf hairs, these plant structures often provide a hospitable environment and refuge from attack by other predators.

Where to use: Neoseiulus cucumeris can be applied on indoor and outdoor-grown plants where prey and/or non-prey plant resources (pollen and nectar) is available. Although navigation by N. cucumeris may be slowed on plants with dense leaf hairs, these plant structures often provide a hospitable environment and refuge from attack by other predators.

Rate: 50-100 predators per m2 or per 10 ft 2 for regular releases, and up to 350 predators per m2 or per 10 ft 2 during peak pest presence.

Maximizing effectiveness: Neoseiulus cucumeris performs best at temperatures between 25-35°C (77-95°F) and >70% RH. Long-term persistence will depend on food availability, including prey and non-prey plant resources (i.e., pollen and nectar). Neoseiulus cucumeris should be used as a preventative measure against pest mites and thrips; however, N. cucumeris can be used in conjunction with other predators, including predatory pirate bug (Orius spp.) to manage higher pest densities.

Pest stage: Eggs, immatures and adults. Eggs and immatures are the best pest life stages to target.

Mode of action: Predator

Conservation: Neoseiulus cucumeris persists and performs best on plants that produce pollen, or when provided alternative food sources. Catttail pollen (Typha latifolia) and/or high-pollen producing banker plants such as peppers can be provided as an alternative food source on pollen-poor crops. Neoseiulus cucumeris can also overwinter on outdoor crops if available overwintering habitat (dead leaves, plant material, tree bark) is available.

Compatibility: Broad-spectrum pesticides can have serious non-target effects on predatory mites, even if they are labeled as selective. In general, least harmful insecticides for predatory mites include diamides, Bacillus thuringiensis, diflubenzuron, methoxyfenozide, and pymetrozine. Compatible miticides include hexythiazox, etoxazole, bifenazate, spiromesifen and cyflumetofen. Neoseiulus cucumeris can be sensitive to many neonicotinoids and pyrethroids, and many of these products have little impact on mite pests. A recent study identified avermectins, chlorfenapyr and diafenthiuron as compatible pesticides specific to N. cucumeris (Cheng et al. 2021). It is important to note that nearly all products have non-lethal effects on predatory mites that may negatively impact their performance. Products should be used only when necessary to promote biocontrol success. Neoseiulus cucumeris can be compatible with other predatory mites to manage thrips and spider mites. However, it is an aggressive feeder of predatory mite eggs when alternative resources are unavailable.

See Schmidt-Jeffris 2021, IOBC-WPRS Pesticide Side Effect Database, Biobest Side Effects App and Koppert - Side effect for more details on pesticide compatibility.

Any time you use a pesticide, you must read and follow the label directions and comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to pesticide use. Also be sure that any pesticide used is approved for use in your country and state/province.

Risk: There is no evidence of harm to human or environmental health.

Commercially available: Yes. This species is widely available by multiple distributors.

Pests Targeted by Neoseiulus cucumeris

Twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)
Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)
Cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus)
Broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus)
Tomato/potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli)
Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci)
Silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)
Chili thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis)
Tomato russet mite (Aculops lycopersici)
Melon thrips (Thrips palmi)

Neoseiulus cucumeris is a generalist predator that feeds on small insects, including thrips, psyllids, and whiteflies, and plant-feeding mites. It is currently primarily used for thrips control, although it will eat other pests. It will eat Asian citrus psyllid, but researchers are still determining whether it can provide meaningful control of this pest. These pests are present on a multitude of horticultural crops including fruit, vegetables and ornamentals grown outdoors and under protected systems. Neoseiulus cucumeris will often feed on the most abundant and available prey and will prefer prey eggs and immatures that are less active. Neoseiulus cucumeris is also less effective at navigating webbing from spider mites compared to other specialist predators and should therefore only be used for preventative control for spider mites.

Thrip and Mite Damage

Neoseiulus cucumeris can feed on several small, soft bodied pests, but are typically used to manage thrips and spider mites. Thrips damage appears as irregular sections of chlorotic leaf tissue that is the result of adults and nymphs feeding on plant cells using their piercing and sucking mouthparts. This damage is often accompanied by dark flecks of thrips frass (aka feces).

Spider mite damage is similar to damage by thrips, but chlorotic sections are smaller, roughly the size of a pinprick. Spider mite damage is commonly called “stippling”. When spider mites reach high densities, damage will likely be accompanied by webbing between leaves. In some fruit-bearing crops, direct feeding on fruit by high densities of spider mites may result in similar damage on the fruit itself, such as “gold fleck” in tomatoes.

Pests in the Tarsonemidae family (includes broad mites) produce discolored, brittle and deformed leaves and petioles, leading to stunted growth. Fruits and vegetables can also be damaged resulting in smaller, deformed and “tanned” fruit.

In the background, the underside of a bean leaves including veins and leaf hairs. In the foreground, four spider mite individuals grouped near each other. Spider mite eggs are also scattered throughout the image. The eggs are spherical and white. Arrows indicate eggs and adult spider mites, including a male guarding a female.

Several spider mite individuals and spider mite eggs observed on the underside of bean leaves with magnification.

Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occientalis).

typical feeding damage by thrips on a leaf. The damage appears as white or bleached splotches against the green leaf surface. Black flecks of frass also speckle the leaf.

Thrips feed by piercing the epidermal layer of host tissue and sucking out cell contents. This damage results in bleached and irregularly shaped spots variable in size on the leaf surface. This damage is also accompanied by thrips feces or “frass” that appears as dark flecks.

Strawberry leaf with signs of damage by spider mite feeding. The damage appears as regular chlorotic spots, white-yellow in coloration on the leaf surface. This type of damage is called stippling.

Example of two-spotted spider mite damage on strawberry leaf, also called “stippling” or chlorotic spotting.

Authors

Samantha Willden
Cornell AgriTech, Department of Entomology
Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris
USDA-ARS, Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit, Wapato, WA
Gregory Loeb
Cornell AgriTech, Department of Entomology

Date: January 13, 2022

References

Al-Azzazy, M.M. Al-Rehiayani, S.M., and Abdel-Baky, N.F. Life tables of the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on two pest mites as prey, Aculops lycopersici and Tetranychus urticae. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant protection 51, 637 – 648 (2018).
Bergeron, P.E. and Schmidt-Jeffris, R.A. Not all predators are equal: miticide non-target effects and differential selectivity. Pest Management Science 76: 2170-2179 (2020).
Buitenhuis, R., Shipp, L., and Scott-Dupree, C. Intra-guild and extra-guild prey: effect on predator fitness and preference of Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Bulletin of Entomological Research 100, 167 – 173 (2010).
Cheng, S., Lin, R., You, Y., Lin, T., Zeng, Z., and Yu, C. Comparative sensitivity of Neoseiulus cucumeris and its prey Tetranychus cinnabarinus, after exposed to nineteen pesticides. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 217, 112234 (2021).
De Courcy Williams, M.E. Biological control of thrips on ornamental crops: Interactions between the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on cyclamen. Biocontrol Science and Technology 11, 41 – 55 (2010).
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Gravandian, M., Fathipour, Y., Hajiqanbar, H., Riahi, E., and Riddick, E.W. Long-term effects of cattail Typha latifolia pollen on development, reproduction and predation capacity of Neoseiulus cucumeris, a predator of Tetranychus urticae. BioControl (2021).
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Photos and Illustrations

A single N. cucumeris adult (yellow, ovate body appearance) on a green leaf surface. Photo is magnified using a microscope. Photos by S. Willden.
Two N. cucumeris present on the leaf surface that is similar to what can be seen using a 20-30X hand lens. Photos by S. Willden.
A single N. cucumeris adult (yellow, ovate body appearance) on a green leaf surface. Photo is magnified using a microscope. Photos by S. Willden.
An illustration comparing the life stages of N. cucumeris. Time spent in development was averaged between two studies where predators were reared on pollen and/or mite prey. For both studies, N. cucumeris were reared at 20-25°C (68-77°F) and 65-70% RH. Data by Sarwar 2014 and De Courcy Williams 2004. Artwork by S. Willden.
Several spider mite individuals and spider mite eggs observed on the underside of bean leaves. Photo by S. Willden.
Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occientalis). Photo by D. Kirkeby.
Example of two-spotted spider mite damage on strawberry leaf, also called “stippling” or chlorotic spotting. Photo by S. Willden.