Feltiella acarisuga

Feltiella acarisuga is a dedicated specialist for spider mites. It effectively targets:

• Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae)
• Carmine Mite (Tetranychus cinnabarinus)
• Various other Tetranychid mites

Because the adults can fly, they are often the first predators to arrive at a new spider mite outbreak, making them an excellent "search and destroy" partner for your stationary predatory mites.

For maximum predatory activity and successful reproduction, maintain these conditions:

• Temperature: Performs best between 20°C – 27°C (68°F – 81°F).
• Humidity: Requires moderate to high humidity (at least 60%). Low humidity can cause the pupae to dehydrate before hatching.
• Light: Not sensitive to day length; unlike Aphidoletes, Feltiella does not enter diapause (hibernation) during short winter days, making it perfect for year-round indoor use.

Understanding the difference between Feltiella and predatory mites (like P. persimilis) helps you build a better defense:

• Choose Feltiella acarisuga if: You have dense hot spots, tall plants, or a large canopy. Their ability to fly allows them to find infestations that are physically isolated from other plants.
• Choose Predatory Mites if: You need preventative, leaf-to-leaf coverage across an entire collection.
• The "Total Defense" Strategy: Combine Feltiella with Phytoseiulus persimilis. The mites patrol the leaves while the Feltiella midges fly between plants to tackle the heaviest outbreaks.

Release Timing: Release at the first sign of spider mite webbing or leaf stippling.

Application: Open the container in the shade near a spider mite hot spot. Do not sprinkle the pupae onto the soil; instead, place the container or the carrier medium on the foliage or in a release box so the adults can emerge and fly directly to the pests.

Moisture: Ensure the plants are well-hydrated to maintain local humidity around the release site.

Safety: Avoid using sulfur burners or broad-spectrum pesticides for at least 2 weeks prior to release.

Format: Shipped as adult wasps ready to hunt and parasitize immediately.

Packaging: Specialized tubes designed to keep the wasps calm and viable during transit.

Storage: These are highly active insects. Release immediately upon arrival. If storage is unavoidable, keep at 8°C – 10°C for no more than 1 hour.

No. Adult Feltiella acarisuga feed only on water, nectar, or honeydew, and the larvae are specialized to feed strictly on spider mites. They are completely harmless to humans and domestic animals.

You should see a reduction in active spider mite movement within 7–10 days. Look for tiny, legless, yellow-to-orange larvae living directly within spider mite webbing on the undersides of your leaves.

Yes, they are the perfect partner for predatory mites like P. persimilis. While mites patrol the leaf surfaces, Feltiella adults fly to find and "bomb" the heaviest hot spots and dense colonies that crawling mites might struggle to reach.

Feltiella requires a relative humidity of at least 60% to thrive. If the air is too dry, the pupae can dehydrate before they hatch, and the larvae may struggle to survive long enough to consume the spider mite colonies.

Unlike some other beneficial midges, Feltiella acarisuga is not sensitive to day length. They do not enter a "diapause" or hibernation state during short winter days, making them an excellent choice for year-round indoor grow rooms and greenhouses.

These are living organisms and should be released on the day they arrive for the best results. If a short delay is necessary, store the container in a cool, dark place at 5°C – 10°C (41°F – 50°F) for no more than 48 hours.