Hot dry weather

Often increases risk of

• Thrips
• Spider Mites

Practical grower actions

• Reduce plant stress
• Improve humidity management where possible
• Strengthen early biocontrol establishment

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Acceleration Mechanics

Hot dry periods typically:

• Increase mite reproduction
• Shorten aphid generation time
• Reduce entomopathogenic fungi
• Increase plant stress → increase pest suitability

Acceleration factor can double reproduction rate in some species.

This compresses predator lag windows.

See: - Predator–Pest Ratio Modelling - Decision Matrix — Pest Intervention