Mechanical distribution of beneficials: laboratory tests

A first version prototype was projected and evaluated, in order to mechanically releasePhytoseiulus persimilis and Orius laevigatus, commonly employed in biological and integrated controlprograms on protected vegetable crops. This machine was used to release the beneficials which whereplaced, together with the carrier material present inside the bottles (vermiculite and buckwheat husk),into a hopper equipped with a distributor. Preliminary trials were conducted under laboratoryconditions to evaluate the vitality and the damages eventually caused to the predators and to determinethe range of action of the machine at different working rates. No physical damages to the arthropodslimiting their mobility and vitality were observed. Also the distribution, evaluated on a horizontalsurface, seems to be suitable for applications in biological control programs.