insect pests such as aphids, thrips and worms, and the reduction of
 pesticide residues on the fruit.

If the nursery has been sprayed with pesticides harmful to predators just
prior to plant harvest, the release of predators should be delayed until new
leaves are present. The grower should consult the supplier of the nursery
stock on recent applications of pesticides.

Application of fungicides for disease control may directly or indirectly
influence spider nite development. Control of insects by broad spectrum
insecticides also affects spider mite development by reducing their endemic
natural enemies. If possible, chemical control of diseases and insects should
be conducted soon after planting, leaving the plants without harmful residue
during the period of releasing the predators.
 Method of Releasing the Predatory Mites

Predatory mites are delivered in plastic bottles containing about 2,000
predators in verm-culite. They should be released as soon as possible after
delivery. They m;y be stored in a cool place for a few hours until the
releases are made 50F is the optimum storage temperature. Before opening
the bottle, gently role and shake the contents to distribute the mites evenly
through the vermiculite. Sometimes the cap of the bottle contains an air
filter; this filter has to be removed and the cap replaced. Walk along the
beds and at every 4th or 5th plant spread the leaves with one hand and shake
about 1/4 teaspoon of the vermiculite and predator mite mixture into the
center of the plant. An average of one predator should be released per plant
possessing two to four new leaves; one bottle is sufficient for providing
2,000 plants with predators at the rate of one predator per plant. Leave the
empty bottle and he cap on the bed among the plants because some predators
may be left in the bottle and the cap. The predators will disperse naturally
to plants infested with spider mites.
 Compatibility of Predators with Pesticides

 Several fungicide;, miticides and insecticides are compatible with predators.
 Captan wettable powder, wettable sulphur and Thiram are non-toxic to the
 predators under c mmon use patterns. Javelin, Dipel, etc. (Bacillus
 thurinqiensis) an] Vendex are also compatible with predators. Vendex may be
 applied at low rates to reduce unexpected high densities of spider mites
 before or after releasing the predators.
 Benlate benomyll), Topsin (thiophanate-methyl), and captain flowable are
 harmful to predac ous mites. Benlate and Topsin cause sterility in the female
 predators and havy a long residual effect; captain flowable kills the mobile
 stages of the pre ator but has a short residual effect. Lannate (methomyl) is
 highly toxic to tie predators and to many other insect parasites and
 predators, and has a long residual effect. Organophosphorus compounds, such
 as Phosdrin (mevinphos), Malathion, and Diazinon, are toxic to the mobile
 predator stages, but have a rather short residual life. Mobile predators in
 the webbing on the underside of the leaves may survive to some extent. There
 are potentials for using these disruptive insecticides once stability in the