Controlling Thrips
Controlling thrips can be effective with Orius. Orius are predatory thrips bugs and the only natural enemy that also feeds on adult thrips
Spreading killer bugs against thrips
Scatter Orius in and around thrips outbreaks, with a minimum of 5 to 10 predatory bugs per square meter, depending on the infestation. Orius is available in 100 or 500 units.
Instructions for use
Orius is packed together with a substrate in a tube. It is important to rotate the container regularly and to shake it lightly before and during application to obtain an even distribution of Orius bugs. The product should be spread on the leaves in small piles and should remain for a few days so that the bugs can settle into the crop. The substrate can then be removed. Once Orius have established themselves in the crop, they can easily be found in the flowers of the plants. Spread the contents of the tube over 10 to 20 spots in and around thrips outbreaks.
Effectiveness of Killer Bugs
Orius predatory bugs eat thrips at all stages of their growth. Young Orius nymphs eat only thrips larvae, but older nymphs and adults may also feed on adult thrips. Orius also likes all kinds of other prey such as aphids, spider mites, whitefly or the eggs of various butterflies. They sometimes kill more than is necessary for their diet. They find their prey by probing, hold it with their front legs and empty it with their rostrum by sucking.
Orius
Orius Laevigatus, also called the flower bug because it is very often found there by nature, is a small flattened bug with a long and mobile rostrum. It is oval in shape and measures only 2 to 3 mm. The red eyes are striking. The eggs are invisible and are embedded in plant tissue. Nymphs are wingless insects, initially yellow in color. Older nymphs are yellow with brown spots. In later stages, the nymph becomes increasingly darker in color than the adult predatory bug.
Curative control of thrips
Orius is often used in combination with Amblyseius to control thrips. Amblyseius eats the eggs and larvae of thrips but does not touch the adult thrips. In combination with Orius, thrips are then attacked at all stages of their development.
Preventive control of thrips
If you want to use Orius preventively or in case of small infestation, it is possible. Orius can be introduced preventively against thrips in crops containing pollen, as these predators can survive on it. But the number of adult predatory bugs will decrease if there are not enough thrips and they can only survive on pollen. Orius is a flying and native insect, and will naturally and quickly seek out areas where there is enough food. If you want to use Orius preventively in a confined space, we suggest you order Nutrimac, a food for Orius. A better alternative is Amblyseius-breeding-system.
Amblyseius-breeding-system is a complete preventive product against thrips. With Amblyseius-breeding-system, you just have to hang your breeding bags in your crop, from which the predatory mites will be released slowly and continuously during 4 weeks. The predatory mites will be present before the thrips and will attack the eggs and larvae directly at the source. After 4 weeks, the rearing bags will be exhausted and will have to be replaced by new ones if you wish to prolong the preventive protection.
Storage
Orius can be stored for a short time (a few days only), in a cool place (but not less than 8°C) and protected from light.
Tips and advice
- Use the whole can.
- Track pests as soon as possible with yellow capture pads.
- Can be used in combination with Amblyseius predatory mites.
- It is the only predatory insect of adult thrips.
- Highly visible native predatory insect.