#insect predators

Death by Crab Spider, part two

Crab spiders that hunt in flowers prey on pollinating insects. Thus, pollinating insects tend to avoid flowers that harbor crab spiders. We established this in part one. Now we ask, what effect, if any, does this interaction have on a crab spider infested plant’s ability to reproduce? More importantly, what are the evolutionary implications of this relationship?

In a study published in Ecological…

Here's where bugs go to rest over winter.

We all like a tidy garden, myself included but a year or so ago, I learned a valuable lesson that Nature has been trying to tell me for ages. I’d put it to the back of my mind but now that we’re starting to prepare for Autumn/Winter (or the closest thing to them that climate change will let us have), I’m reminded that Nature, too is preparing. For insects, the preparation and down time is called…

I’ve learned a new set of rhythms to our garden over the last couple of years. As soon as the hot weather arrives, Spider Mites start to infest, first the Blackberry Nightshades that I now keep for just this purpose. Then they infest the poor Pepino in the back yard. Spider Mites are a pest of the early hot weather. I know now that If I don’t panic and wait for a month, the cavalry will arrive…

Learn a little about your garden's insects and you will reap many benefits besides knowledge.

I’ve been spending a lot of time learning about garden insects this year. Consequently, I’ve seen some critters that I’ve not noticed visiting Ligaya Garden before. I’d like to say that it’s the first year that they’ve been here but, in all likelihood, they’ve been here all along and my untrained mind just hasn’t registered them. As I’ve noted in past posts, taking the time to learn a good…

Pests predators and  taking it easy

1 Biobest’s Dacnusa-Diglyphus: A Grower’s Perspective | AgroNews

Biobest’s Dacnusa-Diglyphus: A Grower’s Perspective | AgroNews

Tomato leafminer beneficial insect predators.

Dacnusa is a fast prey seeker.

Diglyphus finishes the job.

Good control but you need to monitor your greenhouse and release new predators weekly.

2 – Biobest Offers Complete Leafminer Control Strategy | AgroNews

"Biocontrol options to control leafminer include two well-known natural enemies Diglyphus sibirica and Dacnusa isaea. ‘Biobest ’s UK team has developed valuable experience in tomato on how to use these two parasitic wasps in a robust combination strategy. As leafminer pressure increases in tomato crops in the Netherlands, France and other Western European countries, more growers are adopting this…

Biobest Launches Phytoseiulus Production in Mexico | AgroNews

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"With over 27% of the world’s strawberry production in 2015, the USA is by far the world’s number one producer. The lion’s share of US production is situated in California. Mexico ranks number 5 in the global strawberry charts with about 6% of global production. A lot of strawberries are grown in Western states (Baja California, Jalisco, Michoacan). ‘That’s a lot of berries within easy reach of…