Predatory mite, Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Hypoaspis miles) for fungus gnat & thrip control

Predatory Mite, Stratiolaelaps scimitus also known as Hypoaspis miles is been widely used as a biological control agent to control dark-winged fungus gnats, (Bradysia spp.) and thrips. This predatory mite generally lives in the soil and feeds on soil-dwelling stages of fungus gnats, thrips and other insect pests (see below) that cause a serious damage to many economically important crops grown both in the greenhouses, nurseries and fields, and poultry. Adults of predatory Stratiolaelaps scimitus are clear-brown to tan colored tiny mites that are about 0.8- 1.0 mm in size. Females of Stratiolaelaps scimitus generally lay oval shaped eggs in the soil or potting mix. These eggs hatch into tiny brown to black colored larvae with six legs. These larvae then develop through two successive developmental stages known as protonymphal and deutonymphal stages. Both these immature nymphal stages resemble to their parents known to feed on the eggs and larvae of fungus gnats, and larval, prepupal an