A Mighty Duo! UV Light and Predatory Mites Fight Strawberry Pest, But …
June 1, 2023 
UV light technology can be used in combination with predatory mites to help thwart twospotted spider mites. Though, one University of Florida scientist says this approach can be a double-edged sword.
Photo by Sriyanka Lahiri
Strawberry growers can combine UV light with three predatory mite species to more efficiently keep the dreaded twospotted spider mite in check. But, farmers must take caution with this approach, according to new research findings from the University of Florida.
For a new study, UF/IFAS Entomologist Sriyanka Lahiri wanted to find out what would happen if she used UV light on the eggs of predatory mites in the research field. At the same time, she used UV light to suppress spider mites. Lahiri and her team learned that the same UV doses that kill most spider mite eggs also kill almost 90% of predatory mite eggs. That’s bad news because those predatory mites won’t grow to adulthood.
So, the key to controlling twospotted spider mites is to use UV lights and then release adult predatory mites.
Most growers spray miticides on their strawberries to control the mites. But UF/IFAS scientists are trying to find integrated pest management solutions to reduce the use of conventional chemistries.
“This research finding informs growers about the limitations of using UV light in combination with predatory mites,” Lahiri adds. “Using our new information, growers can protect the predators, while using UV light for maximum spider mite suppression.”
DYK? Twospotted spider mites can reduce strawberry yield by 10% to 25%, according to UF/IFAS research.
To read the study on using UV lights in combination with biocontrol for twospotted spider mites, visit ScienceDirect.com.
Subscribe Today For
