Spider Mites are a common pest that can wreak havoc in the garden if left unchecked.
Fortunately, there is a small but mighty organism that can help keep them at bay: the Spider Mite Destroyer!
This helpful type of ladybug is relatively easy to care for and requires little work to help keep your garden healthy.
In this guide, we’ll cover all the basics about Stethorus punctillum and how you can best leverage them in your gardening practice!
| Characteristics: | |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Spider Mite Destroyer |
| Family Name | Coccinellidae |
| Scientific Name | Stethorus punctillum |
| Use | Pest Control, Pets |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
| Lifespan | 1-2 Months |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
| Adult Size | 1-2mm |
| Breeding Type | Egg Layer |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 Gallon |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Hardness | Moderate |
| Temperature | 75-80°F |
What Are Spider Mite Destroyers?
Stethorus punctillum are small insects that belong to the family Coccinellidae, also known as lady beetles or ladybugs.
They get the common name “Spider Mite Destroyer” from their spider mite-eating habits.
They consume large volumes of spider mites, which can help reduce and manage the pest population.
These beneficial insects are most often associated with their solid colors and the luck they bring to anyone who finds one.
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What Do Spider Mite Destroyers Look Like?
Spider Mite Destroyers are incredibly small insects, only about 1-2 mm in size, making them quite difficult to spot with the naked eye.
When viewed under a microscope, however, they have a distinctive oval shape that is easily recognizable.
These little bugs are mostly brown, although there are some variations.
Their bodies are covered in tiny scales and short setae, giving them a furry look.
They also have tiny legs that move quickly to help them traverse across plants and over surfaces.
Stethorus punctillum also has two antennae that they use to sense their surroundings, along with two beady eyes and a small mouth for feeding.
Benefits Of Using Spider Mite Destroyers
Spider Mite Destroyers can provide great benefits to vivariums.
They need no additional food sources beyond what you naturally find in the environment, making them extremely easy to maintain.
They can help to control pests like Spider Mites, Fungus Gnats, and Root Aphids, as well as the pest’s eggs.
As a bonus, they can also help to keep other beneficial insects like ladybugs and green lacewings in check, creating a healthy balance of insects in your miniature ecosystem.
The Spider Mite Destroyer is a great fit for enclosures and will help to keep it safe and healthy!
Spider Mite Destroyer Facts
Stethorus punctillum are small beetles with a dark brown carapace, usually found in gardens in the summer months.
They are natural predators of spider mites and feed mainly on the eggs laid by these pests.
These beetles have a short lifespan of up to a few months, but in that time female beetles can lay hundreds of eggs thus ensuring a continuous population.
The majority of these tiny insects live and feed together in colonies, where they can collectively protect a plant from a heavy spider mite infestation.
They are gentle creatures and do not bite people or cause any direct harm.
Habitat
Spider Mite Destroyers are native to Eastern North America but have been found across the United States and parts of Europe.
They can be found in a variety of habitats, including croplands, grasslands, woodlands, and yards.
They are particularly able to thrive in areas with low populations of predatory mites, spiders, and parasitic wasps.
While they prefer warm and humid climates, they can survive in climates that experience both hot and cold temperatures.
In the wild, Stethorus punctillum tends to congregate on the underside of overhanging branches.
This is where they find their prey and the shelter they need to survive.
They also tend to emerge shortly before nightfall in search of food, so keep an eye out for them during that time!
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Diet
Spider Mite Destroyers are highly adapted predators that feed voraciously on spider mites in their natural environment.
They can consume an entire colony of tick-like arachnids in a matter of hours, making them a valuable asset in controlling spider mite populations in gardens.
besides spider mites, Stethorus punctillum will feed on a variety of other soft-bodied insect and arachnid pests, including thrips, aphids, and caterpillars.
They seek out their prey both within the plant canopy and on the ground.
In addition to sucking the body fluids of their prey, S. punctillum also feeds on the honeydew that the spider mites excrete.
Temperament
The Spider Mite Destroyer is generally harmless around humans, as well as other animals.
When disturbed, these small creatures will generally scamper away, preferring to flee rather than engage in confrontation.
These nonaggressive tendencies make them well-suited for outdoor use in residential areas.
Stethorus punctillum will generally avoid other larger animals due to their size and preference for certain food sources.
However, they are known to sneak away and hide in areas where they can find an ample supply of food.
This behavior is typical of many species of predatory mites, and it helps to keep the population of unwanted critters manageable.
As such, they’re excellent at controlling several pest populations in the garden.
Lifespan
Spider Mite Destroyers typically live for around 4 to 8 weeks.
During this time, they will go through a complete metamorphosis, meaning they will change from an egg to a larva, pupa, and then an adult.
As larvae, Stethorus punctillum will feed on mite eggs, larvae, and pupae, helping to stop the mite populations from quickly multiplying.
As adults, the lady beetles will continue to consume mites, but typically won’t consume eggs or larval stages unless they are extremely hungry.
During their adult lifecycle, they will seek out food sources, mate, and then lay eggs on their host plants.
For Spider Mite Destroyers to go through their full metamorphosis, they need access to high humidity levels, as well as adequate light.
Without these things, they may not be able to complete their lifecycle, resulting in a decreased population of ladybugs in the garden.
Breeding
The mating process for Stethorus punctillum begins with the male beetle using its antennae to locate and identify potential mates.
Once he has found a suitable female partner, he will initiate copulation.
After mating, the female beetle will lay between 25 and 50 eggs directly onto the undersides of host leaves.
The yellow eggs hatch in about 10 days.
Where To Find Spider Mite Destroyers
The Spider Mite Destroyer is a species of beetle that can be found in many parts of the world.
Although they are naturally occurring in certain regions, they are also commercially available.
Gardeners can purchase the bugs from local garden centers, online retailers, or even directly from farms and nurseries that specialize in beneficial insects.
Spider Mite Destroyers typically arrive in batches of hundreds and are easy to deploy in your garden.
Before releasing them, it’s essential to ensure that the environment is suitable for them.
They should be released in areas with plenty of vegetation and relatively low temperatures, which will prevent them from drying out and dying prematurely.
Once the beetles are released, observe the area closely to ensure they’re actively searching for prey.
When purchasing Stethorus punctillum, it’s a good habit to purchase from a reputable source.
Make sure to check reviews and ask questions if you’re not certain whether a product is of good quality.
If buying in person, ask questions about the storage and handling of the insects before committing to a purchase.
By carefully choosing a quality source, you can ensure that the dark ladybirds are healthy and ready to aid in your garden’s pest control!
Spider Mite Destroyer Care
To care for Stethorus punctillum, create an appropriate environment and provide a nutrient-rich food source such as thrips, mites, or pollen.
Monitor for potential health issues, spot spider mites on plants, and implement integrated pest management strategies such as resistant plants or cultural controls.
Finally, use best practices for containing a pest outbreak if needed.
Tank Requirements
Spider Mite Destroyers are best kept in a terrarium-style environment.
When choosing a container, make sure it has ample ventilation and is easy to clean.
Aim for a slightly acidic pH level of 6.5-7.5, and a slightly brackish water hardness of 5-14 dH.
Maintaining temperatures between 24-27 degrees Celsius will keep the destroyer happy.
For terrarium substrate, try coco fiber soil, sphagnum moss, or even sand.
If you want to provide a little extra nourishment, consider adding food-grade live cultures, such as fruit flies or springtails.
Finally, the enclosure should have a low-level source of terrarium light or natural sunlight to provide S. punctillum with the energy they need to reproduce and thrive.
What Do Spider Mite Destroyers Eat?
As mentioned so far, Stethorus punctillum are predatory insects that feed on a variety of prey, including mites, aphids, mealybugs, and other soft-bodied insects.
To best provide them with the sustenance they need, it’s vital to offer a variety of items on the menu.
Here’s a list of the types of prey that they most often feed upon:
- Spider mites
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Whiteflies
- Thrips
- Scale insects
- Leafhoppers
To feed your Spider Mite Destroyers, you’ll need to ensure there is a good supply of these types of prey in your garden or tank.
However, if you cannot provide an adequate amount yourself, you can purchase live prey items from your local garden center or online.
Keep in mind that these lady beetles only feed on their prey when hungry, so you will not need to provide food every day.
If you’re looking for a more detailed approach to feeding these critters, be sure to check out my ultimate DIY ladybug food guide. I give a more in-depth explanation of the best foods and my favorite recipe.
Best Tankmates For Spider Mite Destroyers
Apart from Stethorus punctillum, other beneficial organisms can help to keep pest populations low in the garden.
These include other types of ladybugs, ground beetles, and lacewings.
Ladybugs feed on a variety of pests, including mites, and they can also help to pollinate flowers.
Ground beetles feed on a variety of plant pests and are especially effective at controlling slugs and snails.
Lacewings are also voracious predators that feed on insect eggs and larvae, as well as aphids and other soft-bodied pests.
These beneficial insects can all be kept with Spider Mite Destroyers to create a comprehensive pest management strategy.
Conclusion
By leveraging Stethorus punctillum in your gardening practice, you can greatly reduce the number of pests in your garden.
With the proper knowledge and care you can ensure that your Spider Mite Destroyers will be a valuable asset in controlling pests and keeping your miniature ecosystems healthy and thriving.
Create the ideal habitat for your beetles with our species-specific soil mixes and Insect Enclosure Kits. These products provide everything you need for a successful and thriving beetle habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
The spider mite destroyer (Stethorus punctillum) is a small beetle that is commonly used as a biological control agent to manage spider mite infestations in agricultural and horticultural settings.