Caterpillars: a growth explosion in the life of butterflies and moths

from moth to egg Butterfly and moth females lay eggs, often in groups on the leaves or other parts of plants. Some species separate them; some lay a row [...] their skin. They cause huge damage to crops. Of some species, a few dozen caterpillars can launch such a vicious attack on a plant within twenty-four hours [...] moths are fairly harmless insects, but their caterpillars can do a lot of damage and have a voracious appetite. Although caterpillars are only one link in

Pests and Pals Webinar: Watch the Recording Now!

technical experts from Natural Enemies / Koppert , shared their insights on how predatory insects and beneficial microbes can help growers strengthen [...] experts discussed: How predatory insects can effectively target pests like aphids and thrips The role of beneficial microbes in protecting crops against pathogens [...] Fusarium The benefits of proactive biocontrol strategies to reduce reliance on chemical sprays Practical tips for integrating biological solutions into your

Phytoseiulus persimilis

register volatiles emitted by damaged plants. Phytoseiid mites have no eyes and therefore rely on volatiles released by damaged plants and their tactile sense [...] cap to open the dosage hole Sprinkle material on leaves or pour into Diboxes Make sure the material remains on the introduction site for at least a few hours [...] mites actively seek out and prey on the Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) . The predatory mite cannot feed on other prey. Feeding behaviour of

Spot the caterpillar!

egg deposited on the plant by the butterfly or moth. Caterpillars can be recognized not only by their appearance but also by the damage they cause or the [...] like to hide in curled-up leaves. If you touch them, they’ll start to squirm and quickly lower themselves down to the ground on a thread of their own silk [...] the plant they live on. If you find caterpillar feces, it’s time for further investigation! Caterpillars can hide very well and often change their color

Ten facts about spider mites

it’s time to take action. Spider mite damage is easily identified by yellow leaves covered with webs. These leaves will eventually die, so an attack can [...] scout affected areas early on. Under the right conditions, a spider mite population can expand very quickly. Look under the leaves – if you can see crawling [...] to appear in the same spots in the crop. In greenhouses, this is typically on plants close to the entrance or where it’s warm. Out in the field, you should

Rhyzobug FAQ

the adults and the larvae feed on armoured scale insects. Small scales are consumed entirely. In larger scales feeding damage is visible as irregular holes [...] into the field? Open the cap of the tube and tap the ladybird adults on the plants. On which crops can Rhyzobug be used? Rhyzobug can be used in both greenhouse [...] like? There are many armoured scales. They are found underneath the leaves and on the stem. Nymphs and adults are small and covered by a scale. They are

Plant Pests

Plant Disease Management

plants is vital. Keep a close eye on their health and appearance. Look for any unusual signs, such as yellowing leaves, wilting, unusual growth patterns [...] impact of plant diseases by utilizing beneficial organisms. This method relies on the use of living organisms to suppress or control plant pathogens, which [...] diseases in plants. The primary goal of biological control is to reduce the damage caused by these pathogens while minimizing the use of chemical pesticides

Want to know whether Spical will be effective? Check, check, and double-check!

well after the infestation, the plants will, at some point, shed the damaged leaves. Grab your magnifying glass You'll need a magnifying glass to inspect [...] red in color, and the adults have two spots on their backs. They also move quite slowly. The predatory mites, on the other hand, move very fast. They're also [...] to see webs, but the spots won't become larger. The downside is that the damaged spots won't simply disappear. While this isn't such a problem for vegetable

Got Mealybugs? Here’s The Solution.

habit of ruining the retail value of crops. Both adults and juveniles chew on leaves, causing foliage to become misshapen and yellow. They also foul plants [...] highly infectious on any mealybugs that get too close. There is no such thing as a harmless mealybug—it’s important to keep pressure on the stragglers. You’ll [...] hiding underneath the thick canopy. Mealybugs simply re-emerge to do more damage. Koppert Biocontrols can help. If the pest infestation is already at critical