# Stratiolaelaps scimitus

> A soil-dwelling predatory mite, formerly sold as Hypoaspis miles, that hunts fungus gnat larvae, thrips pupae and other small arthropods in the growing medium.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/stratiolaelaps-scimitus.html
- Also written: Hypoaspis, Hypoaspis miles, Stratiolaelaps, soil predatory mite, S. scimitus
- 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"

*Stratiolaelaps scimitus* is a [predatory mite](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/predatory-mite.md) of the family Laelapidae that lives in the top layer of soil and [soilless](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/soilless.md) media. It was long sold as *Hypoaspis miles*, and many growers still call it Hypoaspis. It is tan-brown, about 0.5-1 mm long, and eats [fungus gnat](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/fungus-gnat.md) larvae, [thrips](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/thrips.md) pupae, springtails and other small soil organisms.

## In practice

Growers sprinkle it on the medium surface of mothers, clones and veg plants as a preventive layer against fungus gnats and soil-pupating thrips. It survives for weeks on organic matter and alternative prey, so one early release can persist through a run. It does best in moist but not [waterlogged](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/overwatering.md) media and is less suited to bare rockwool or [deep water culture](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/dwc.md), where it has nowhere to live. It pairs well with *[Steinernema feltiae](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/steinernema-feltiae.md)* nematodes and with foliar predators that cover the leaf stage of thrips. Some growers report it helps against [root aphids](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/root-aphid.md), but evidence is thin.

## Don't confuse with

- **Steinernema feltiae**: a nematode that infects larvae rather than eating them.
- **Dalotia coriaria**: a rove beetle used for the same soil pests.
- **Springtails**: harmless soil insects often seen alongside.

## Related terms

[Fungus gnat](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/fungus-gnat.md), [Thrips](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/thrips.md), [Steinernema feltiae](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/steinernema-feltiae.md), [Root aphid](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/root-aphid.md), [Predatory mite](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/predatory-mite.md)

## Read more

- [Fungus gnats: the watering problem with wings](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/pests/fungus-gnats.md)

## Sources

1. UConn IPM. Biological Control of Fungus Gnats. https://ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/ipm-biological-control-of-fungus-gnats/
2. UC IPM. Pest Notes: Fungus Gnats (Publication 7448). https://ipm.ucanr.edu/legacy_assets/pdf/pestnotes/pnfungusgnats.pdf