I manage a couple commercial greenhouses. We’re a pesticide-free cannabis farm, and we utilize lots of different commercially available predatory insects to deal with pests. While we are not yet currently rearing/breeding any ourselves, we do try to create conditions and spaces in the greenhouses for that to happen naturally. We also sow companion plants that help to draw in our native predatory bugs as well.

A short list of some of the predators we use here:

A. cucumeris - a generalist predator mite that loves to feed on western flower thrips, spider mites, and fungus gnat larva

P. persimilis - another predatory mite that feeds exclusively on spider mites

Stratiolaelaps scimitus - a soil mite that feeds on soil dwelling pests such as fungus gnat larva, thrip larva, and springtails

Aphidius colemani - a species of parasitic wasp that parasitizes aphids (these guys’ mode of action is like something out of the movie Alien, definitely recommend reading more about them)

Green lacewing larva - also known as “aphid lions” these larval stage bugs devour aphids! And once they reach their adult stage, they turn into beautiful neon green flying critters with wings that look like, well, lace

Orius insidiosus - aka the Pirate Bug. These are also generalist predators that love to feed on thrips, aphids, and other soft bodies pests