Feltiella acarisuga – Gall Midge Predator for Spider Mites
Feltiella acarisuga – Gall Midge Predator for Spider Mites
A spider mite specialist that works where predatory mites struggle
Dense, hairy foliage on tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and strawberries can bog down predatory mites, letting spider mites run wild. Feltiella acarisuga is a predatory gall midge built for exactly those crops: its larvae hunt spider mite eggs, nymphs, and adults across leaf surfaces that trip up other predators. It complements Phytoseiulus persimilis in a mite program and is especially useful in larger spaces with heavy, high-density pressure.
Live insects ship on Tuesdays only and arrive Wednesday. Orders must be placed 7 days in advance. Anything ordered by 3pm EST Tuesday ships the following Tuesday by UPS overnight shipping.
- Predatory mites slow down on hairy foliage
- One predator can lag a high-density outbreak
- Sprays miss mites in the webbing
- Miticides leave residue and re-entry waits
- Chemical rotations breed resistance
- Reactive spraying only
- Thrives on dense, hairy crops where mites struggle
- Larvae hit spider mite eggs, nymphs, and adults
- Adults seek out colonies and lay right in them
- No residue and no re-entry interval
- Pests cannot adapt to being eaten
- Complements persimilis for full-program control
Made for hairy foliage Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers
Feltiella thrives on dense or hairy crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, and strawberries, exactly where traditional predatory mites often struggle to move and feed.
Larvae are the hunters
The orange-brown larvae are the primary predators, feeding on spider mite eggs, nymphs, and adults and capable of consuming multiple mites per day.
Adults seek out colonies
Adult midges do not feed on mites directly but locate spider mite colonies and lay eggs right in them, so the hunting larvae hatch exactly on the prey.
Roughly 15-day cycle About 15 days
Eggs hatch within about two days, larvae feed for four to six days, then pupate in white cocoons on leaf undersides, completing the full cycle in around 15 days.
Complements persimilis
It is an excellent partner to Phytoseiulus persimilis in integrated mite programs, especially during heavy, high-density spider mite infestations.
Best for larger spaces
Feltiella shines in larger grows with sustained pressure, where its flying adults can find and colonize scattered mite hot spots.
Make a hole in the cup lid and set it on the media or slab near mite colonies.
Place it at spider mite hotspots; typical rate 0.25-25 per m².
Repeat at least 3 times at weekly intervals until controlled.
Excellent on dense, hairy crops; pair with persimilis.
How Feltiella clears spider mites on hairy crops
Place among the plants
Set the container in the canopy of your affected crop, favoring the dense, hairy plants where mites hide.
Adults find the colonies
The flying adults locate spider mite colonies and lay their eggs right in the hot spots.
Larvae hunt the mites
Orange-brown larvae hatch within about two days and feed on mite eggs, nymphs, and adults for several days.
Population cycles on the crop
Larvae pupate in white cocoons on leaf undersides and new adults emerge, completing a roughly 15-day cycle that keeps working the crop.
- Live Feltiella acarisuga in a release container
- Count matched to your chosen size
- Release and care instructions
- Insulated overnight packaging
- Release size: matched to space and pressure
- Best for: hairy crops and larger, high-density outbreaks
- Pairs well with: Phytoseiulus persimilis for a complete mite program
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