Mirical Predatory Bug

Scientific name: Macrolophus pygmaeus.

Macrolophus pygmaeus is an insect of the family Miridae, species of which are commonly known as plant bugs, leaf bugs, grass bugs, capsid bugs or mirid bugs. Macrolophus pygmaeus are found in the warmer climates of Europe, Africa and Asia, they are omnivorous, preying on Tuta absoluta (South American tomato pinworm, tomato leafminer, tomato pinworm or South American tomato moth) eggs and larvae, Ephestia kuehniella (Mediterranean flour moth or mill moth) eggs, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (the potato aphid) nymphs and the extrafloral nectar of plants such as the Vicia fava bean.

Use for:

• Generalist predator with a preference for whitefly and has an effect on Tuta absoluta.
• Biocontrol of greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), Tobacco whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), eggs and caterpillars of tomato leaf miner moth (Tuta absoluta) and other moths.
• Also feeds on two spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae), aphids and leaf miner larvae (Liriomyza spp.).
• Should be used in combination with whitefly parasitoids for complete management of whiteflies.
• Especially for use in tomato crops (can cause damage to other plants).

Mode of action:

Adult predatory bugs and nymphs actively search for their prey and suck them out. The skin is left behind in its original form.
Visually, Macrolophus pygmaeus sucks out the body contents of its prey leaving only the empty skin.

Product specifications:

Application:

Introduce Mirical at the beginning of the growing season and provide supplementary Ephestia kuehniella and Artemia spp. as food source, as the predatory bug population needs time to establish and develop. Mirical can also survive on plant saps, however absence of animal prey slows down the population build up significantly.

Cardboard tray:

• Open package carefully inside the greenhouse.
• Distribute the content of one package over 10 introduction points by hanging 1 cardboard strip per plant and, at the end, shake out any remaining M. pygmaeus from the tray into the crop.
• Hang the cardboard strips over the stalk of a fully grown leaf at the top of the plant.
• The Macrolophus will climb out of the cardboard strips and spread through the crop.

Bottle:

• Sprinkle material on clean, dry rock wool slabs, in application boxes or on leaves. Make sure the material is not disturbed for at least a few hours.
• Introduce in clusters of at least 50 predatory bugs.
• Ensure 6 to 10 distribution points per bottle
• Spread material thinly (maximum 1 cm thick) to enable the predatory bugs to get out of the carrier material.

Dosage:

The dosage of Mirical depends on climate, crop and expected pest density and should always be adjusted to the particular situation. Start introduction preventively. Introduction rates typically range from 0.25 to 5 per m²/release. Releases should be repeated after 2 weeks.

Environmental conditions:

Optimal temperatures for Mirical are above 20°C / 68°F, lower temperatures slow down the development of Macrolophus pygmaeus significantly.

Storage:

• Apply as soon as possible after receipt. If necessary, the product can be stored for 1 to 2 days.
• Store at temperatures of 8°C to 10°C / 47°F to 50°F.
• Store in the dark.
• Keep the bottle horizontally.

Caution:

• Pesticides can have direct or indirect effects on biological solutions.
• Only use products that are permitted in your country or state and crop.