How to release SwiLiv (Amblyseius swirskii)
What’s in the SwiLiv Tube?
- Predator: Amblyseius swirskii
- Carrier: Sterilized bran or vermiculite mixture
- Food: Feeder mite
How to release A. swirskii?
- For best results, release as soon as receiving shipment.
- Gently rotate the tube to evenly mix the mites in the carrying material,
- Sprinkle on top of plant canopy or place in bio boxes hung on the plant. Focus in hot spot areas.
- Avoid pesticides (organic or synthetic) before and after release.
- Avoid top watering or washing plants after release.
Can you store A. swirskii?
We recommend releasing the predators immediately upon arrival.
If storage is necessary swirskii can be stored for 1 day at room temperature in a dark, humid place (RH 60% or more). Avoid any contact with direct sunlight.
How to check the quality of the mites?
Due to colder temperatures during shipment predatory mites tends to gather in the middle of the tube. If at first you don’t see any movement, allow the shipment to come to room temperature before conducting a quality check.
To check, gently rotate the tube to evenly mix the mites. Pour a small sample on a white piece of paper and use a minimum 10x lens.
How to promote establishment?
Temp and humidity: Swirskii prefers a warm and humid environment (25-27°C and over 70% RH).
Supplementary food: Mite Booster, Feeder mites, Bugfeed
Swirskii starts laying eggs on the plants in a day or two but the population does not thrive unless there is abundant food available. Adding supplementary food will help build up the population when prey levels are low.
How to spot A. swirskii after releasing?
Swirskii is a tiny mite with an oblong body that’s pale yellow to deep red in color depending on its diet. To examine the presence of A. swirskii gently tap plants or flowers over a piece of paper, inspect with a 10x lens. Scouts may also look under leaves (near the veins and hairs) with a lens to find A. swirskii eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Amblyseius swirskii as a preventative control?
Swirskii works well in pollen rich crops as a preventative but isn’t recommended in other crops unless supplemental food is used. A better option for crop with no pollen is using swirskii sachet, that will slowly breed the population over time.
Can I use HypoLiv (Stratiolaelaps scimitus) with SwiLiv (Amblyseius swirskii)?
Yes you can. They provide better control when used together.