Biocontrol of Insect problems

General
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Last week I had the opportunity to meet with an entomologist and environmental horticulture specialist on the use of beneficial insects for the rose garden (a/k/a biocontrol). This was a follow up to an ARS webinar in August on the use of predatory mites in sachets/banker plants to manage Chilli Thrips. The discussion was fascinating and I learned a lot. Wondering if anyone is using such insects as Lacewings, pirate bugs and/or Phytoseiulus persimilis to control aphids, spider mites, thrips etc? Is this a topic you would want to learn more about? Thanks - Diane

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I am very interested in learning more about bio control. I am trying to incorporate more plants to bring in the beneficial insects. I would like to hear more about this. Thanks, Diane.

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I would be very interested in learning more!!!

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Yes, this would be very interesting.
My garden is very diverse and I don’t spray. I do have lots of good bugs (and bad, lol) but it seems my ladybugs are never around the same time as the aphids! Why? So yes, I’d like to learn more about this topic!

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I am very interested in this subject. I am starting alyssum plants from seed as well as lemon mint plants to help host pirate bugs in my garden.

I moved from CA to TX a few years ago and the chili thrips have devastated my roses. I lost many to them before I realized that it was the thrips and not the heat. Arrgghh!

So now I am using Conserve and hoping to use bio controls.

Thank you,
Holly

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I’d suggest you contact crack hybridizer Tom Carruth, curator of the Huntington Library’s rose garden, on this topic. The garden was strictly organic before chili thrip moved in and every kind of biocontrol he could find was used, but it took so long for any kind of control to kick in that he finally felt compelled to resort to Spinosad. I don’t think he was happy about it at all.

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Yes, please provide as much CE about biocontrol as possible. It is the best option for our roses, and for our environment.

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I am very interested in learning more about this as well. I have a small greenhouse and struggle with aphids and spider mites. because it is enclosed I dont have the natural wind to blow them around.

I agree about the lady bugs… I’ve purchased lady bugs and put them in the greenhouse only to have them disappear. I planted marigolds with the roses and that seems to help.

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Thank you for your interest. We are working with the ARS to confirm support and funding for a special program on this topic. Stay tuned!