# Predatory mite

> Mites, mostly of the family Phytoseiidae, released as biological control to eat pest mites, thrips larvae, whitefly eggs or fungus gnat larvae.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/predatory-mite.html
- Also written: predatory mites, predator mites, phytoseiid mites, Phytoseiidae, beneficial mites
- Glossary category: Pests and diseases · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

A predatory mite is a mite that hunts other small arthropods instead of feeding on plants. Most species used on crops belong to the family Phytoseiidae and live on foliage; *[Stratiolaelaps scimitus](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/stratiolaelaps-scimitus.md)* (family Laelapidae) works in the growing medium. They are bred commercially and shipped as loose material in a carrier such as bran or vermiculite, or in slow-release sachets hung on plants.

## In practice

The species has to match the pest and the room. *[Phytoseiulus persimilis](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/phytoseiulus-persimilis.md)* is a specialist [spider mite](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/two-spotted-spider-mite.md) eater; *[Neoseiulus californicus](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/neoseiulus-californicus.md)* tolerates heat and low prey; *[Amblyseius swirskii](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/amblyseius-swirskii.md)* targets thrips larvae, whitefly and broad mites in warm rooms; *[Neoseiulus cucumeris](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/neoseiulus-cucumeris.md)* covers thrips larvae in cooler rooms. Releases work best early, while pests are scarce, and they fail when growers spray incompatible products in the same window. Check temperature and humidity ranges for each species, since many slow down below about 50% [RH](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/relative-humidity.md).

## Don't confuse with

- **Spider mites**: pests; predatory mites are faster, pear-shaped and usually lack the two dark spots.
- **Parasitic wasps**: insects that lay eggs inside pests rather than eating them.
- **Nematodes**: microscopic worms, applied as a drench.

## Related terms

[Phytoseiulus persimilis](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/phytoseiulus-persimilis.md), [Neoseiulus californicus](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/neoseiulus-californicus.md), [Amblyseius swirskii](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/amblyseius-swirskii.md), [Neoseiulus cucumeris](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/neoseiulus-cucumeris.md), [Stratiolaelaps scimitus](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/stratiolaelaps-scimitus.md), [Biological control](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/biological-control.md)

## Read more

- [Spider mites on cannabis: life tables, ID and IPM](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/pests/spider-mites.md)
- [Thrips on cannabis: life table, temperature, scouting and biological control](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/pests/thrips.md)

## Sources

1. UC IPM. Natural Enemies Gallery: Phytoseiulus predatory mites. https://ipm.ucanr.edu/natural-enemies/phytoseiulus-predatory-mites/
2. UConn IPM. Biological control of spider mites (2019 fact sheet). https://ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3216/2022/12/2019biologicalcontrolofspidermitesfinal2-1.pdf