Amid rising concerns about chemical usage in agriculture and increasing resistance among insect species, Australian farmers are adopting natural pest control methods to safeguard crops. Billions of predatory mites, specifically bred and distributed to strawberry farms, are being utilized to combat sap-sucking insects detrimental to production. According to James Hill, the manager at Bugs for Bugs Donnybrook insectarium, "We're producing beneficial insects for farmers to use instead of insecticides," highlighting that 90% of strawberry farmers are incorporating these biological agents.
In the context of Australia's affection for strawberries, with a significant portion of households purchasing them annually, the industry faces challenges from two-spotted mites. These pests, if not controlled, can severely damage crops, leading to substantial losses.
The predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis, a tiny arachnid, is deployed to target these pests. Capable of being dispersed via drones, these predators efficiently reduce mite populations without harming other insect species. Adrian Schultz, president of the Queensland Strawberry Growers, notes the significant cost savings and reduced chemical usage resulting from the introduction of these predatory mites and lady beetles for aphid control.
Source: abc.net.au