Specialty crop growers use high tunnels (HT) as a protected agriculture strategy. Since their vertical growth habit allows for space optimization and repeated flowering provides multiple harvests, cucumbers (Cucumis sativa L.) are well suited for HT production. However, one of the main pests of cucumbers in HTs is the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch; TSSM). Growers frequently it become aware of TSSM until the damage is irreparable and the pest is difficult to control. Currently, guidelines rely on traditional miticides and are based on production in fields or greenhouses. For HT growers that want to adopt organic pest management techniques, it is challenging to select the most effective and affordable control strategies for TSSM management in HT systems. Therefore, there is a need for research-based evaluations in the context of production in these unique growing environments. Here, we will present results from an experiment evaluating various predatory mite egg consumption (Amblyseius andersoni, Neoseiulus californicus, N. cucumeris, N. fallacis, and Phytoseiulus persimilis) using TSSM eggs in growth chambers that are programmed to simulate the temperature, humidity and day length experienced in high tunnels during peak production. The two most efficacious species will then be evaluated in high tunnel cucumber production systems. This work contributes to the development of an IPM program for TSSM in high tunnel production.
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