Amblyseius cucumeris
Overview
Amblyseius cucumeris is one of the most widely used predatory mites for thrips management in commercial horticulture. It is primarily used as a preventative biological control agent and is commonly supplied through sachet systems or broadcast applications.
For many years Cucumeris formed the foundation of commercial thrips programmes and remains widely used in ornamentals, strawberries and protected crops.
Type
Predatory mite.
Target Pests
Primary Targets
- Thrips larvae
Secondary Targets
- Broad mite
- Small mite species
- Alternative food sources
Identification
Adults are pale beige predatory mites that are difficult to see without magnification.
They are often found around flowers, growing points and young foliage.
They move more rapidly than pest mites.
Why Cucumeris is Important
Thrips are among the most economically damaging pests in protected horticulture.
Cucumeris attacks the early larval stages before significant feeding damage occurs and helps prevent pest populations building to damaging levels.
Environmental Preferences
Temperature
Optimal:
- 18–28°C
Humidity
Benefits from moderate to high humidity.
Crop Canopy
Performs best within protected crop canopies where humidity is maintained.
Crops Commonly Used In
- Strawberries
- Ornamentals
- Herbs
- Peppers
- Nursery stock
Strengths
- Proven commercial performance
- Excellent preventative thrips control
- Easy distribution through sachets
- Good establishment in many crops
- Compatible with other biological controls
Limitations
- Does not control adult thrips
- Less effective against severe outbreaks
- Can require repeat introductions
- Limited whitefly control
Works Well With
- Orius spp.
- Amblyseius swirskii
- Amblyseius montdorensis
Monitoring Establishment
Successful establishment can often be confirmed by:
- Predatory mites within flowers
- Reduced thrips larvae populations
- Predator activity around growing points
- Consistent predator presence from sachets
Inspect flowers and young growth regularly.
Common Questions
Can Cucumeris control adult thrips?
No. Cucumeris mainly attacks larval stages.
Can Cucumeris survive without thrips?
It can survive on alternative food sources for limited periods.
Is Cucumeris preventative or curative?
Primarily preventative.
Why are sachets commonly used?
Sachets provide continuous release of predators over several weeks.
Common Mistakes
Introducing too late
Established thrips populations often require Orius support.
Expecting adult thrips control
Adult thrips are not the main target.
Uneven distribution
Hotspots may remain untreated.
Poor monitoring
Growers may miss early warning signs of increasing thrips pressure.
Practical Crop Examples
Strawberries
Often introduced early and supplemented with Orius during flowering.
Ornamentals
One of the most widely used biological controls for preventative thrips management.
Herbs
Useful where repeated preventative releases are required.
Cucumeris vs Swirskii
Cucumeris
- Primarily thrips
- Good preventative control
- Often supplied via sachets
- Performs well in moderate conditions
Swirskii
- Thrips
- Whitefly
- Broad mite
- Better multi-pest coverage
- Strong performer in warm crops