We have used Avid to control spider mites on corn and the wild relatives of
corn in the greenhouse, but got a large rebound effect with chemicals, so
we tried biological control with the predatory mite Phytoselius persimilis
("Killers"), and have gotten excellent maintenance. The results are not
100% but it keeps the spider mite population under constant control and we
have not had to spray for 8 months. There is another predatory mite
Neoseiulus=Amblyseius fallacis that also controls red spider mites but we
do not use it because if there is not a population of spider mites for it
to feed on, it will eat pollen.
Good luck with your problem,
Mary Eubanks
>To maize cooperators,
>We are having a serious problem with red spiders on the maize plants
>that we are growing in the greenhouse. Our pest manager has been trying
>oil, soap, and Pyrethrin. The first two aren't particularly effective,
>while Pyrethrin is, but Pyrethin severely damages the plants. Has
>anyone else solved the problem of red spiders in the greenhouse? If
>so, I would surely appreciate learning what to do about them without
>seriously damaging the maize plants.
>Stephen Stack
>>--
>Stephen M. Stack
>Department of Biology
>Colorado State University
>Fort Collins, CO 80523-1878
>TEL (970) 491-6802
>FAX (970) 491-0649
>Email sstack at lamar.colostate.edu
M. W. Eubanks, Ph.D.
Department of Botany
Duke University
Durham, NC 27708-0338
Office: (919) 660-7301
Fax: (919) 660-7293
e-mail: eubanks at duke.edu
