Towards enhancing biocontrol of thrips: effects of supplemental pollen and fiberson foliar abundance of Amblyseius swirskii

Abstract: Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) will quickly leave the foliage of plants that lackboth leaf hairs (leaf trichomes) and a supplemental food source (pollen). Many floral crops lackleaf trichomes. Applying artificial leaf hairs (low densities of tiny fibers) and/or pollen to thecanopy of plants lacking these resources enhances phytoseiid persistence and egg production.