Page 18 - Griffin Gazette Q4 2017

BCAs are living, breathing organisms,
so it’s important to care for them
properly prior to and during release.

The table below details information regarding storage and release
of some popular BCAs that will help to maintain health and viability.
Always unpack your BCAs immediately upon arrival, verify viability and
report concerns back to Griffin as soon as possible.

BCA Product How to Check Viability How to Store How to Release

Select aphid mummies without exit
holes from the blister pack. Place in a
Aphidius colemani ventilated, clear container at 70˚F away Store unopened blisters out of Place opened blister packs in the crop
direct light at 43-46°F and release canopy (shaded from the light source)
Blister packs from direct light. Assess emergence within 18 hours of receipt. and allow the adults to emerge naturally.
after 7 days by observing mummies for
exit holes or counting adults.

Open the bottle in the production space
to allow emerged adults to move into the
crop. Release late in the day or under
Aphidius ervi Store unopened bottles out of reduced light levels in a shaded area.
See viability notes for A. colemani. direct light at 43-46°F and release
Bulk mummies within 18 hours of receipt. Replace the vented cap on the container
and store the bottle at room temperature
out direct light. Repeat the releases once
per day until all adults have emerged.

Release late in the day or under reduced
light. Place small piles of 25-50 Dalotia
Dalotia coriaria with the carrier on the surface of the
Scatter a small sample from the Store unopened containers in a potting media, at various locations in
aka Atheta coriaria
container on white paper. Observe dark location at 50-60˚F. Release the crop to achieve the desired release
Bulk larvae and active movement in adults and larvae. within 48 hours of receipt. rate. Alternatively, make piles directly on
adults the greenhouse floor or in pots of media
under benches. For breeder boxes,
request the GGSPro bulletin.

Hypoaspis miles Scatter a small sample on white paper Store at 50-60˚F. Release within Apply to growing media at end of day or
and observe mite movement under
Bulk mites magnification. 24 hours of receipt. under low light conditions.

Amblyseius Option 1: Clip a sachet to a binder clip, Crack open the box of sachets For hook sachets, hang sachet in the
andersoni, set the flat side of the clip on a sticky to prevent buildup of CO and crop canopy, out of direct light. For stick
2
A. cucumeris, card and watch for the mites to spread heat. Store the opened box out of sachets, simply insert the stick into the
A. swirskii and out on the sticky card. direct light under moderate media so the bottom of the sachet just
Neoseiulus Option 2: Cut open the sachet, sprinkle humidity at temperatures of barely touches the media.
californicus contents on white paper and observe 50-60˚F for several days. Best if
Sachets placed in crop within 18 hours
activity under a microscope.
of receipt.
Neoseiulus fallacis See H. miles. See H. miles. Rotate container to mix carrier and mites
uniformly, then sprinkle over crop foliage.
Bulk mites

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