Using predatory mites in plant protection

At Koppert headquarters in the Netherlands, Dr. Tom Groot heads the Research and Development Department for Macrobials. He shares that he is passionate about nature, especially predatory mites. 'I have been crazy about biology and living creatures all my life. As a child, I would lie on the grass and watch ants and spiders at work. At one stage I even kept snakes and poison dart frogs in my bedroom. Predatory mites happened on my path when I studied biology at the University of Amsterdam. They have fascinated me ever since and led me to my present position at Koppert.'

Fascination for predatory mites
Dr Groot points out that, small as they may be, predatory mites can do amazing things. Female mites produce large eggs that weigh about 20% of their body weight. And they do this 4 to 5 times a day. This means that they have a voracious appetite for pest insects in the crop. 'They show an incredible capacity to convert pests into food for the next generation of mites. They have an enormous impact in the crop despite their size, so it's an ongoing solution for growers as they reproduce themselves rapidly. What's not to love about these mites?' he asks with a smile.

Koppert has been producing commercial quantities of predatory mites for more than half a century and is a global leader in this field. There have been multiple innovations in the rearing, mass production, packaging, and transportation of this increasingly effective solution for biocontrol of specific pest infestations. In recent years, one of the most successful innovations came in the form of a breeding sachet. 'Working together with multi-disciplinary teams, our R&D department designed and developed the Ulti-Mite sachet,' Dr Groot explains.

Ulti-Mite sachets: an innovation with impact
The Ulti-Mite sachet immediately put Koppert in a category above the rest in the mite production field as it guarantees the optimal establishment of the predatory mites in crops, especially in dry conditions where the relative humidity is low. This makes a big difference for these growers as it ensures the predatory mites are able to walk straight into the crop where they are most needed, unharmed and vital, for a prolonged period of time. 'Having initially placed 100 mites in the sachet, a thousand can emerge over an extended period, enhancing the grower's IPM biocontrol system,' Dr Groot adds.

'The sachets have been a huge success, and we have managed to prolong the duration of their efficacy. It's all about maintaining the moisture in the sachets; keeping the moisture inside without harming the mites and creating the perfect ecosystem for them, with additional prey mites to feed them, thus maximizing the reproduction of the mites. We are now looking at adapting the sachet for different climates and different locations.'

Collaboration is key
Staying ahead of the game by listening to growers and anticipating their problems is a daily routine at Koppert. It means that several factors need to work together. 'Thanks to our continuous consultation services, we have managed to stay close to growers for generations. We also stay close to our markets by keeping daily contact with our Sales and Marketing departments. Through our collaboration with growers, their market demands, and academic institutions, we are constantly broadening our portfolio to tackle new pests and diseases all over the world.'

'We are often approached by universities and institutions that seek our collaboration on many fronts and see us as a valuable partner. They recognize us as experts in the rearing and mass production of predatory mites and use our mites for their experiments and trials in the field. The benefits are mutual.'

Continuous innovation

Besides the continuous innovation in end products, the raw materials used for rearing mites and their mass production are constantly monitored and reviewed. 'Sourcing consistently available and quality ingredients is crucial and a good supply chain for the raw materials is key. We have constantly upgraded and refined their nutrition to keep the mites as healthy and vital as possible.'

Furthermore, predatory mites offer significant potential in crops. One key advantage is their ability to be mass-produced, and unlike other natural enemies, they do not fly away and remain in place when released in open fields. 'At Koppert, we started with horticulture, but have recognized a huge potential for our predatory mites in agriculture. Working on large-scale farms means that we are continuously working with new technologies for the safe and effective distribution of our biocontrol agents over large tracts of land,' De Groot shares.

'We are now looking at increasing our production capacity to corresponding volumes of mites for the agricultural market and have already developed an assortment of application technologies that will introduce our solutions into crops and soil for optimal efficacy. We will need to further decentralize our production and explore new species for local solutions to local problems.

'I will never forget that Koppert introduced the first predatory mites as a biological solution to the market, long before I started here. This is where it all began and where it is still happening now and in the future. At Koppert we are on a mission to change the face of agriculture; to offer our biological solutions to growers as a sustainable and reliable alternative and to limit the use of chemical agents for a safer and healthier planet. I have found my passion in life. Koppert is the place for me to be.'