Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2

Neoseiulus fallacis is a predatory mite that is produced for sale to British Columbia farmers for management of two-spotted spider mites. This biological-control product is used for spider mite control on a variety of greenhouse and field-grown agricultural crops. Because this predator is resistant to commonly-used insecticides, it can be used alongside chemical control programs for other agricultural pests. Demand for this product is currently high from BC berry growers who are applying chemical insecticides for spotted-wing Drosophila (SWD, Drosophila suzukii). These growers can apply N. fallacis for spider mite control simultaneously while spraying for SWD. Rearing of N. fallacis on its current plant-based system does not produce sufficient product to meet industry demand. In order to meet this increased demand from BC berry growers and other agricultural users, a new rearing system for N. fallacis is required. Our objective in this project is to develop new rearing technology for N. fallacis based on a factitious grain-mite host. Production of N. fallacis on this new system will allow biocontrol producers to meet product demand and increase sales of this product. In turn, this will allow further implementation of biological control which can reduce environmental impacts of pesticides applied for spider mites on BC berry crops.