Amblydromalus limonicus

Predatory mites pierce their prey and suck out the contents. In addition to whiteflies and thrips, Amblydromalus limonicus preys on several other small organisms such as spider mites and tarsonemid mites. They can also feed on pollen and take fluids from leaves, which is useful for instance in sweet pepper crops as the predatory mite can establish in the crop before the pest appears. Amblydromalus limonicus can feed on eggs, crawlers and larvae of whiteflies and first and second instar larvae of thrips. Young whitefly eggs (less than 24 hours old, white in colour) are a much better prey than older whitefly eggs (more than 24 hours old, brown in colour). At 25°C under optimal conditions, an adult female Amblydromalus limonicus lays 3.7 eggs per day on young eggs, 1.2 eggs per day on older eggs and 3.3-3.4 eggs per day on crawlers and nymphs. It consumes about 7 first instar larvae of thrips and lays 3 eggs per day at 25°C under optimal conditions.

The life cycle of Amblydromalus limonicus consists of the following stages: egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult. Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves. They are oval, white, and are approximately 0.14 mm in diameter. The larvae have six legs, are the same colour as the eggs, and are only slightly larger. The larvae of Amblydromalus limonicus have to feed. If they do not have access to food, they develop very slowly and the mortality is high. The nymphs are larger than the larvae, have eight legs, and are a whitish yellow colour. Adult mites have eight legs, are translucent white in colour, and have a flat, elongated body. They are roughly 0.4 mm in length. Males are smaller than females. The mites are very mobile and actively search for food on the underside of leaves. Their colour can vary according to the prey eaten and they are sometimes greenish in colour when they take fluids from the leaves. Due to their size and colour they are difficult to spot in the crop.

Amblydromalus limonicus is most effective at temperatures between 13 and 25°C (55 and 77°F). It is not effective above 30°C (86°F). Amblydromalus limonicus is sensitive to relative humidity below 70%.

In tomato, use of Amblydromalus limonicus is not recommended as it is hindered by the glandular hairs on the stems and leaves and does not build up a population.