Predatory mite
Neoseiulus cucumeris
(formerly known as Amblyseius cucumeris)

Neoseiulus cucumeris is a ‘generalist’ predatoty mite that attacks the immature stages of several species of thrips (including western flower thrips and anion thrips (Thrips tabaci)), as well as various mites (e.g. braad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) and cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus)); it will also feed on pollen, particularly when prey is scarce. This species has a tendency to feed on the most readily available prey, and higher release rates
may be advisable if several potential prey species are present together.

The adults of N. cucumeris are approximately O.5 mm in length and look similar to several other Neoseiulus species, with somewhat pear-shaped, pale beige to pale brown bodies.
The small oval eggs are typically Iaid close to the main veins on the undersurface of leaves, or amongst leaf hairs. The six-legged larva that emerges from the egg does not feed and is relatively sedentary, but the remaining two immature stages (the eight-legged protonymph and deutonymph) are more mobile and will attack first instar thrips nymphs. Older nymphs of most thrips species are too large to be attacked, and adult thrips are not consumed. For this reason, N. cucumeris is best introduced when thrips numbers are Iow; do not expect to see a noticeable reduction in adult thrips until approximately 3 weeks after introduction (depending on temperature).

Optimum temperatures for this species are 20—25°C (68—77°F), with relative humidity in the range of At temperatures of 30°C and above, the immature mite stages become increasingly sensitive to reductions in humidity, with the newly hatched larval stage being
particularly vulnerable. The life-cycle (egg to adult) can be completed in approximately 8—10 days at 25°C, with adults living up to about 30 days_ Commercial strains generally do not enter diapause; however, egg-production tends to be Iower under reduced light intensity and at cooler temperatures.