Phytoseiulus persimilis - Two-Spotted Spider Mite Specialist

Target Pests

Primarily targets:

• Two-spotted spider mites

Also controls, at higher release rates:

• Carmine red mites
• Pacific spider mites

P. persimilis feeds only on spider mites. It won't control broad mites, russet mites, cyclamen mites, thrips or other pests.

Pairing for Steady Protection

P. persimilis knocks spider mites down fast, but once they're gone it runs out of food and dies off. For longer-term control, pair it:

• For standing protection before and after an outbreak, add Amblyseius andersoni or Neoseiulus californicus, which can hold on when prey is scarce.
• Stethorus punctillum (Spider Mite Destroyer) is a predatory beetle with a big appetite for spider mites.
• Feltiella acarisuga flies to spider mite colonies other predators can't reach.

What Persimilis Mites Are

P. persimilis was one of the first predatory mites used in pest management, and it's still the go-to for two-spotted spider mite hot spots. It's a Type I specialist: it eats only spider mites. Adults are about 0.5 mm long, pear-shaped and bright orange to red, with long front legs that carry them quickly across leaves and through spider mite webbing.

How It Works

Females lay their eggs right inside spider mite colonies, including in the webbing. Eggs hatch in 2–3 days. The newly hatched larvae don't feed, but the nymphs and adults that follow eat spider mites at every stage: eggs, young mites and adults. An adult female can eat up to 40 spider mite eggs a day above 68°F. At 70–80°F, persimilis goes from egg to adult in about a week, roughly twice as fast as spider mites, and each female lays up to 60 eggs over her lifetime.

When to Use Persimilis

Reach for bottled P. persimilis as soon as you find spider mites, especially once webbing shows. It needs spider mites to survive, so once it clears an area it moves on or dies off; release again if mites come back. For prevention, hang slow-release sachets. Persimilis eggs need humidity above 60% to hatch, so it struggles in hot, dry air. Thick leaf hairs, such as on some tomato varieties, slow it down.

Where It Works

• Crops: vegetables, hemp, strawberries and other soft fruit, and ornamentals
• Settings: greenhouses, indoor grow rooms, interior plantscapes and outdoor crops

Safe, Sustainable Pest Management

• No synthetic pesticides
• Safe around people and pets when used as directed
• Safe for use on edible crops when used as directed
• Fits seamlessly into existing IPM programs

Release Methods

Bottled Predators: Fast Knockdown

• Mostly adult predators, ready to hunt, in a carrier you sprinkle directly onto infested foliage
• Best choice for an active infestation and webbing hot spots
• Re-introduce every 1–2 weeks as needed

Slow-Release Sachets: Prevention & Maintenance

• Great for preventative and maintenance programs.
• Inexpensive way to keep predators on your plants.
• Packed with all life stages for a steady flow of predators for 2-4 weeks.

Pro Tips

Hanging Boxes for Bottled Mites

Pour bottled mites into hanging release boxes to keep them where the spider mites are and keep the carrier dry. Sachets already hang on their own.

Chemical Compatibility

Sprayed recently? Some pesticides harm predatory mites for days or weeks after they dry. Check which chemicals are safe for predatory mites and how long to wait before releasing.

Application Rates

These are general starting points. Adjust based on pest species, plant type, and infestation severity, and monitor pest and predator populations regularly to gauge how the program is working.

Bottled Mite Release: Fast Knockdown

• Light infestation: 0.5–2 mites per sq. ft.; every 1–2 weeks
• Heavy infestation: 2–4 mites per sq. ft.; every 1–2 weeks

Carmine red mites and Pacific spider mites need higher rates than two-spotted spider mites.

Slow-Release Sachets: Prevention & Maintenance

Don't fight pests, prevent them.

• Plants touching: hang 1 sachet per 3–6 sq. ft.
• Plants not touching: hang 1 sachet per plant.
• Replace every 2–4 weeks.

Temperature & Humidity Range

Effective range: 70–90°F; best 70–80°F
Humidity: 60–90%. Below 60%, persimilis eggs dry out and don't hatch.

Application Instructions

Bottled Release

1. Release in the early morning, in the evening, or when grow lights are off.
2. Mist leaves lightly before releasing.
3. Lay the bottle on its side and gently roll it to mix the mites through the carrier.
4. Sprinkle the contents onto the most heavily infested plants first, concentrating on the hot spots, or pour them into hanging boxes.
5. Leave the open container in place for 72 hours so any remaining predators can disperse.
6. Repeat every 1–2 weeks until the infestation is under control.

Sachet Release

1. Locate plants where you want to prevent infestation.
2. Hang sachet on plant, out of direct sunlight.
3. Introduce slow release sachets every 2-4 weeks to prevent infestation.

Sachets should not be allowed to dry up entirely, and direct sunlight should be avoided. Prolonged moisture and damp environments can cause sachets to degrade or encourage fungal growth.

When should I release P. persimilis?
As soon as you spot spider mites or webbing. Bottled persimilis works best on active infestations. For prevention, hang slow-release sachets.

Why did spider mites come back after persimilis cleared them?
Persimilis eats only spider mites, so once they're gone it moves on or dies off. Release again when mites return, or pair it with Amblyseius andersoni or Neoseiulus californicus for standing protection.

My growing area is dry. Will persimilis work?
Its eggs need humidity above 60% to hatch. Mist leaves before releasing. In consistently dry air, Neoseiulus californicus is a better fit.

Can I use P. persimilis with neem oil or insecticidal soap?
Not while predators are present. These products can kill predatory mites through direct contact, and some treatments may remain harmful after the spray has dried. Check which chemicals are safe for predatory mites and observe the recommended re-entry/release interval before introducing predators.

Are P. persimilis predatory mites safe for people, pets, and plants?
When used as directed, yes. Persimilis isn't known to bite people or pets, and it doesn't feed on plants. It eats only spider mites, and its numbers fall once they're gone.

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