• Tackling Thrips is Always a Puzzle

  April 11, 2019

  Frankliniella occidentalis damage on a gerbera flower In the top ten of infestations that lead to sleepless nights, thrips is near the top. Western flower thrips [...] particular, occasionally drives growers to despair. Thrips is a minute, slender insect, and there are various species. These days, the western flower thrips [...] large differences between companies persist. What is clear, however, is that thrips always requires a well-considered plan of action for the entire season

• What is Biological Control?

  September 15, 2020

  when they occur in cultivated crops where natural control is insufficient. Early biocontrol Biological control is a common practice in agriculture and, [...] biocontrol is defined as "the use of a population of one organism to reduce the population of another organisms" (van Lenteren et al. 2017). It is based on [...] When organisms are introduced in areas where they are not native, this balance is easily disturbed because there are either no natural enemies, or they

• A life-long passion for predatory mites

  September 30, 2024

  first predatory mites as a biological solution to the market, long before I started here. This is where it all began and where it is still happening now and [...] mites?’ he asks with a smile. Koppert has been producing commercial quantities of predatory mites for more than half a century and is a global leader in this [...] Collaboration is key Staying ahead of the game by listening to growers and anticipating their problems is a daily routine at Koppert. It means that a number of

• The Pest is Gone, but What Happened to the Good Guys?

  April 24, 2019

  rapid disappearance of useful insects is sometimes a disadvantage – especially if your intention is to build up a standing army of useful insects or mites [...] food. The crucial question is: where have they gone? Most natural enemies really need their favorite pest to survive. When it is no longer present, they fly [...] banker plants is also a proven method of maintaining the population. To better understand how to keep your standing army, standing, contact a local Koppert

• Using Casea for a healthier and safe asparagus

  products. José Maria García is an asparagus farmer from Fuente Vaqueros near Granada, Spain, where he has been growing asparagus on a hectare for the last two [...] them successfully in a broad spectrum of agricultural crops. A growing number of farmers are now using this natural solution that is rapidly replacing limited [...] pesticides is growing. As beneficial nematodes do not need registration in most countries, they require only a short development time to reach a new market

• Thrips: a tiny pest with big consequences

  February 2, 2023

  about thrips Tackling Thrips is Always a Puzzle Thrips Can Get Out of Hand Quickly! How do you identify a ‘thrips intruder’? Keep a Close Eye on Thrips All [...] with most thrips species targeting many plant species. However, there is a difference in where the thrips congregate and feed on the plant, as each type of [...] affected leeks usually command a lower price due to their less attractive appearance. A general side effect of thrips infestation is reduced vigor of the crop

• Predatory mite pioneers: A journey of biocontrol innovations

  October 24, 2024

  Montdo Ulti-Mite to market. Today, Montdo Ulti-Mite is a key component of a pest management system, where multiple predators work together to control this [...] Almería, Spain, forced a shift from conventional to biological crop protection methods. “Growers urgently needed a solution to a difficult-to-control thrips [...] we were to search for a new natural enemy for each new challenge. That speed can mean the difference between a successful and a disastrous growing season

• Predatory mite pioneers: A journey of biocontrol innovations

  September 30, 2024

  Montdo Ulti-Mite to market. Today, Montdo Ulti-Mite is a key component of a pest management system, where multiple predators work together to control this [...] Almería, Spain, forced a shift from conventional to biological crop protection methods. “Growers urgently needed a solution to a difficult-to-control thrips [...] we were to search for a new natural enemy for each new challenge. That speed can mean the difference between a successful and a disastrous growing season

• 6 Steps for a Successful Mealybug Biological Program

  March 14, 2024

  enemies, so it is crucial to apply bait where ant pressure is high. Start by determining which ant species you have to help you decide which bait is appropriate [...] during heatwaves. 4) Consider your compatible sprays There may come a time when you need to do a knockdown spray. Review your options ahead of time, and [...] provide nectar, such as buckwheat or yarrow. 6) Practice patience It can take a few years for beneficial insect populations to build up. But rest assured that

• A life rooted in agriculture: transforming the future with Koppert

  December 10, 2024

  many, agriculture is an industry or a profession. For Antonio Gimenez, consultant team manager at Koppert Spain, it is a way of life - a connection formed [...] agriculture has shaped not just a career, but a purpose. “It’s unforgettable,” he reflects, recalling a world where family farming was a cornerstone of existence [...] mites, for me they feel like my children”, Antonio adds with a smile. “As a parent you can’t have favourites, but I am proud to say that I have a special