• Pollination checklist Growing lights

  opening systems Automatic Opening Systems allow the bumblebees to fly when there is enough daylight present. Wireless BeeHome system (WBH) can be controlled [...] Do not keep a hive closed for longer than one day unless additional pollen is fed to the bees. Bumblebee pollination of preferably at least 4 hours per [...] later the lights are turned on, the more time (overlap with daylight) there is for the bumblebees to pollinate. For pollination, bumblebees need at least

• Akanthomyces muscarius

  called Lecanicillium muscarium ) is a species of beneficial fungi commonly used in biological pest control . This fungus is known for its effectiveness in [...] muscarius product Mycotal is a bio-insecticide that contains the highly effective blastospores of Akanthomyces muscarius Ve6. This product is the natural solution [...] in protected cultivation. Mycotal is safe and easy to use and can be applied using existing spraying equipment. It is compatible in the tank mix with a

• Diamond back moth

  xylostella) is suggested to have its origin in Europe, South Africa or East Asia, but is now present wherever its cruciferous hosts exist and it is considered [...] species. It is highly migratory and wind-borne adults can travel long distances to invade crops in other regions. Damage symptoms The caterpillar is a surface [...] pupa is pinkish-white to pinkish-yellow and changes to brown before adult emergence. The adult of the diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella) is slender

• Harnessing the Power of Parasitic Wasps

  March 21, 2024

  used. When parasitism levels are high: removed leaves can be left on the floor to allow parasites time to hatch out and cycle back into the crop. When parasitism [...] and whitefly pressure is high: remove leaves from the greenhouse to prevent whitefly adults from hatching back out into the crop. When you have Bemisia whitefly [...] exude from these wounds. Note: When using a host feeding strategy, parasite introduction rates will start higher than when doing a parasitism-control strategy

• How a little predatory mite laid the foundation for biocontrol today

  June 10, 2024

  father was a cucumber grower battling with persistent spider mite infestations when he struck on the idea of a natural enemy for this pest,’ Paul Koppert, former [...] on chemical agents as their effect had diminished. He was very persistent when it came to the experiments in his cucumber crop and soon neighbour growers [...] the way ‘The company was set up by my father and my brother Peter in 1967 when they decided to commercialize the first production of predatory mites for

• Diglyphus isaea

  1 mm, and is transparent white in colour. It lies alongside the paralyzed leaf miner larva and is often difficult to spot. Larval stage: When the parasitic [...] instars: the first is colourless and transparent, the second is yellow and semi transparent with a brown fat body, and the third larval instar is blue-green. [...] Diglyphus isaea Diglyphus isaea is a small parasitic wasp belonging to the family Eulophidae within the order Hymenoptera . It is widely recognized for its role

• Cannabis Aphid Prevention Strategies

  July 12, 2024

  hairnets, booties and coveralls when entering the growing space Should I Use Biocontrol for Prevention? Biocontrol is typically out of the question for [...] Aphid because of the return on investment. When strictly practicing the exclusion program listed above, it is highly unlikely you will develop an aphid [...] Upon introduction, eradication of this pest with current available tools is exceptionally difficult. Health Canada regulations restrict the use of commonly

• Pollination checklist outdoor

  honeybees. This is necessary because the honeybees may be attracted by the sugar water in the bumblebee hive, particularly if the main crop is not yet flowering [...] evenly throughout the plot for maximum results. The recommended number of hives is dependent on the crop and the presence of other pollinating insects. Bumblebees [...] positioning it in the shadow of the crop. Ensure that the underside of the hive is kept dry. Keep the hive entrance visible for humans and bumblebees during

• A legacy of sustainability: Stolk Brothers and Koppert’s shared vision

  February 17, 2025

  Brothers continues to partner with Koppert is the company’s reliability and dedication to growers. “Koppert is more than just a supplier; they’re a partner [...] chemical-free plant is actually the healthier choice. If a predatory mite leaves behind some residue, it’s proof that biological control is working—but consumers [...] a century ago. The Stolk Brothers’ journey in horticulture began in 1925 when Pieter Stolk’s great-grandfather purchased land in Bergschenhoek and started

• Leaf miners

  in horticultural crops are mostly polyphagous; that is, they feed on many crops. However, this is not universal among the Agromyzidae. Of the approximately [...] and can open the way for secondary infections. Effective leaf miner control is essential to protect plant vitality and maintain marketable yields. Biological [...] the order Diptera (the true flies ) and form the family Agromyzidae. This is a family of small flies whose larvae tunnel into the leaves of plants, creating