Koppert's 10k and 50k bottle sizes of Entomite-M (Stratiolaelaps scimitus) have been staple IPM products for years, and now we're extremely excited to grow the family and add on a new size – 125,000! While we could have just made a bigger container and pumped up the numbers, we went back to the drawing board on our production system and managed to drastically increase the concentration. We're keeping our original formulations but now have the 125k in the same-sized packaging as our 50k as well! This gives you a few key advantages, the first of which will be a significant reduction in freight cost. While it's not a linear decrease, we've concentrated our predator to carrier material volume vs. the 50k by 2.5x, and you'll see a decent chunk less in freight charges there. Additionally, the new formulation will now play a lot more nicely with our Mini-Airbug and Airbug distribution devices, opening up some exciting opportunities for labor savings vs applying to individual containers by hand.
Entomite-M is a key component in IPM programs around the world for Fungus Gnat (Bradysia spp) control, as well as for Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis). While nematodes like Entonem (Steinernema feltiae) are the undisputed heavyweight champs of cleanup for Fungus Gnat blow-ups, they leave a bit to be desired in terms of longevity in the growing media and require reapplication on a weekly basis for best results. This is where Entomite-M really shines. Growers typically rely on "Strats" to thrive in potting media for weeks and even months after a single introduction. They have a wide range of food sources, even mold, and can be set up for the long term to provide a stable layer of protection in many different crop production systems. For best results with Entomite-M, make sure to introduce it early in your crop cycle; the earlier, the better before Fungus Gnat or Western Flower Thrips can establish a beachhead. Also – keep moisture in mind with respect to how long they'll last in your growing medium. At the end of the day, they aren't great swimmers and don't persist well through frequent bouts of waterlogged media. This is why Koppert typically recommends waiting until after mist propagation is finished before introduction for best results.
