Atheta coriaria

Atheta (Dalotia) Coriaria is a highly mobile and highly effective soil entomophage in the family Staphylinidae. It is mainly used to control the fungus gnats, the shore fly and thrips that pupate in the soil (like western flower thrips). High mobility makes the insect effective even in hydroponic greenhouses without soil.

Adults of the beetle have a colour from brown to black and an oblong body with a size of 3-4 mm. Males have a lifespan of about 60 days, females – up to 48 days, while laying 100-150 eggs over the entire period. 

Depending on the conditions, the egg takes an average of 17 days to turn into an adult insect. The optimal temperature for this is 25-28 °C, and the humidity is 60-85%. The insect larva is also an active and voracious predator. Since the entomophage spends most of its time in the soil, high air temperature is not so important to it. This species is able to survive the winter even in those regions where temperatures drop below zero.

Atheta coriaria is used to protect a wide range of crops, as well as fungi. These entomophages are especially effective on objects with gravel or soil covering, since soil pests are often observed there. The beetle is not prone to diapause in low light and remains active all year round.

Application of Atheta Coriaria:

Depending on the size of the victim, one individual of the entomophage is able to destroy 10-20 individuals of the pest per day. The approximate release rate of Atheta coriaria is from 1 to 10 individuals per square meter, depending on the amount of the pest. Entomophage is introduced evenly into the root zone of the plant. Due to the relatively slow growth of the population, it is recommended to combine the release of Atheta coriaria with the predatory mite Hypoaspis miles, thus the highest efficiency can be achieved.

Packing of Atheta Coriaria:

Tube 1L — 500 individuals.