Ladybugs vs. Spider Mites
Saturday I found that a phalaenopsis I just bought from Norman's Orchids was heavily infested with spider mites. The damage they caused on the bottoms of the leaves is shown in the first photo. I wiped down the infested plant with 91% isopropyl alcohol and a cotton pad.
I couldn't find any mites on the other phalaenopsis that shipped in the same box or the neighbors of the infested plant. To be on the safe side, I bought 2000 Ladybugs on Amazon. Today I let them go in my greenhouse to clean up any mites or small insects I may have missed.
Interestingly, the ladybugs are giving a lot of attention to the area of the roots on the affected plant. This is shown in the second photo.
What similar remedies have all y'all used to control insects/mites? I know predatory mites, also available for sale, are another means to control orchid sucking mites, but they would be eaten by the Ladybugs.
-Keith
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