Phytoseiulus persimilis

Persimilis is a specialist. It targets one specific pest and does it better than anything else on the market.

• Primary Target: Two-Spotted Spider Mite (all stages: eggs, nymphs, and adults).
• Identification: Persimilis is slightly larger than a spider mite, tear-drop shaped, and active orange/red in color.
• Behavior: It moves rapidly across leaves, navigating through spider mite webbing (which traps other predators) to hunt down the colony.

Persimilis is high-performance but high-maintenance. It requires specific conditions to work effectively.

• Humidity (Critical): They require 60% Relative Humidity (RH) or higher. In dry air (<60%), their eggs will shrivel and fail to hatch.
• Temperature: Active between 59°F - 86°F (15°C - 30°C). Ideally, keep temps below 85°F, as spider mites reproduce faster than Persimilis in extreme heat.
• Food Source: They cannot survive without Spider Mites. Do not release them preventatively if you do not have pests; they will starve and die within days.

Confused between Persimilis and Californicus? Here is the rule of thumb.

• Choose Persimilis (The Cure): If you have visible spider mite damage, webbing, or high pest counts. You need a predator that eats fast and reproduces quickly to overtake the outbreak.
• Choose Californicus (The Shield): Californicus eats slower but can survive on pollen and starvation for weeks. It also works in a wide range of environments and situations.
• The "Tag Team" Strategy: Release Persimilis to knock down the hotspots and release Californicus to patrol the rest of the crop and clean up stragglers.
• Choose Andersoni: If your temperatures are colder (below 60°F) or if you are dealing with other mite species like Russet Mites.

Persimilis are active foliage hunters that must be applied directly to the plant structure to be effective.

• Prep: Lightly mist your plants with water just before release. This helps the carrier material stick to the leaves and provides the high humidity these mites need to thrive.
• Application: Gently rotate the bottle to distribute the mites evenly within the carrier. Sprinkle the material directly onto the leaves, focusing heavily on pest "hotspots."
• Placement: Target the upper canopy and fresh growth where Spider Mites tend to congregate. Unlike other predators, Persimilis can navigate webbing, so applying directly onto spider mite webs is encouraged.
• Urgency: Release immediately upon arrival. These mites are high-metabolism hunters with very low starvation tolerance; they cannot survive long in the packaging.
• Frequency: A single release is often enough for light to moderate pressure. For heavier outbreaks, plan on a follow-up release 7–10 days later, and a third only if you're still seeing live mites on new growth. Once fresh leaves come in clean, the population is broken.

Packaging: Shipped in bottles with vermiculite or sawdust carrier to provide humidity and cushioning.

Viability: You should see active, fast-moving reddish mites inside the bottle upon arrival.

Storage: Release immediately. Do not store for more than 24 hours. Keep cool (50–55°F) but do not freeze.

This is the most common confusion! Persimilis is bright orange/red, pear-shaped, and moves very fast (like a sports car). Two-Spotted Spider Mites are usually pale yellow with two spots, but they can turn orange/red when they are dormant or "overwintering." If the red mite is slow and sluggish, it is likely the pest. If it is sprinting across the leaf, it is likely your Persimilis.

Yes, this is actually the best strategy for long-term control. Release Persimilis on the "hotspots" to knock down the high numbers of spider mites quickly. Release Californicus (or Andersoni) on the rest of the plants to act as a slow-release patrol force that cleans up stragglers and prevents the mites from spreading back.

Yes. While Persimilis is unique because it can navigate webbing (unlike other predators), heavy webbing acts like a highway for spider mites and a barrier for everything else. We recommend using a strong stream of water or a vacuum to physically remove the bulk of the webbing before releasing your predators. This gives the Persimilis easier access to the leaf surface where the eggs are.

They will starve or leave. Persimilis is an "obligate predator," meaning it cannot survive on pollen or fungus. Once the spider mite population crashes, the Persimilis population will crash shortly after because they have run out of food. If the spider mites return later in the season, you will need to re-apply.

You must be careful. If you use an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to knock down the webbing, you must rinse it off thoroughly with water and wait until the leaves are dry before releasing Persimilis. Residues from oils and soaps can kill the predatory mites just as easily as they kill the pests.

Your predators don't drink water, but absorb it from their environment. Persimilis are particularly prone to dehydration and require high humidity to stay hydrated.