Blooms and Beyond - Season 1, Episode 8Episode Title:“Mite Watch: Spider Mite Management Secrets from 45 Years in the Greenhouse with Dr. Lance Osborne”Episode DescriptionWhat do you get when you combine 45 years of greenhouse research, a PhD on whiteflies, and an unstoppable curiosity about every tiny creature crawling through Florida’s ornamental industry? You get Dr. Lance Osborne—one of the true icons of greenhouse pest management.In this episode, Dr. Ping Yu sits down with her former colleague at the University of Florida’s Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) to dig deep into the world of spider mites. From their rapid life cycles and sneaky dispersal tactics to the “six-bullet” chemical rotation strategy and the power of predatory mites like californicus and persimilis, Lance brings decades of field-tested wisdom that every grower can put to work. Along the way, you’ll hear why sticky cards are useless for mites (use beans instead!), how banker plants revolutionize biocontrol, and why the best career advice from a 45-year veteran starts with “be a pain in the ass” and ends with building trust.Plus: Lance reveals his newest excitement—discovering unknown natural enemies of mealybugs by hiding plants in the bushes and seeing what shows up. That’s real plant power in action!Listen Time: ~Consulte las Notas del ProgramaIn This EpisodeGuestDr. Lance Osborne — Entomologist and Researcher, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC), University of Florida, near Orlando. Nearly 45 years of greenhouse pest management research with expertise in spider mites, whiteflies, and biological control. PhD from UC Davis on greenhouse whitefly biocontrol using Encarsia formosa.HostDr. Ping Yu — Assistant Professor and Ornamental Horticulture Extension Specialist, University of GeorgiaLance’s Journey to Entomology (Growing up as a “wild kid” in Cape Canaveral, Florida—running around outside all day collecting insectsHeaded to UC Davis for pre-vet, but couldn’t handle the blood and goreSwitched to working with other organisms, but they kept going extinct—so he turned to insects (“I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about losing them”)PhD on greenhouse whitefly biocontrol with Encarsia formosa, followed by a mosquito postdoc (“It’s no fun collecting 10,000 mosquitoes off my leg every morning”)Hired at MREC for spider mite work and has been there ever sinceFlorida vs. California & Favorite Pest (Florida described as “a zoo” with something crawling everywhere—perfect for someone with a short attention span who loves varietyFavorite pest leans toward whiteflies, but spider mites were the job he was hired to doTold he’d “never work on whiteflies” in Florida—five years later, whiteflies arrived anyway (“I didn’t bring them, I swear”)Why Spider Mites Are the Top Greenhouse Challenge (A Georgia study by Will Hudson confirmed spider mites are the most-sprayed pests in ornamentals nationwideSpider mite management is the foundation of any IPM programFlorida’s year-round warm temperatures mean no diapause, no winter break in the life cycleAs you reduce pesticide pressure for one pest, others emerge—it’s been “an ongoing saga”Spider Mite Life Cycle (Five stages: egg → larva → protonymph → deutonymph → adultGeneration time as short as two weeks in warm conditions, up to 40–50 days in coldTemperature is the primary driver of development speedEach immature stage has a resting/molting phase where it doesn’t feedHow Spider Mites Damage Plants (Mites penetrate plant cells and remove fluids, killing cells one at a timeDamage appears as yellow stippling that coalesces as populations growAll life stages feed and cause damage—adults just cause the most because they’re biggerLance’s memorable analogy: “I do more damage on eating the steak at my house than my kids do—because I’m bigger”Webbing, Silk & Dispersal (Heavy populations produce webbing as a dispersal mechanism when the plant declinesSilk strands carry mites on wind currents to new plantsMites hitchhike on clothing, pets, and equipmentIf you can see webbing, you’re already in trouble—the damage won’t go awayScouting & Early Detection (Turn leaves over—mites prefer the undersideFirst visible sign is usually yellow stippling on the leaf surfaceInvest in a quality hand lens ($40–50), not cheap plastic ones from trade showsEspecially critical now with broad mites and chilli thrips (thrips parvispinus) requiring magnificationLook for opalescent white spherical eggs that appear to float on webbingDead mite bodies indicate predatory mites may already be at workHost Range (Extremely wide: croton, dieffenbachia, gerbera daisy, poinsettia (Lewis mite), hibiscus, beans, solanaceous cropsTetranychus evansi (tomato red spider mite) specifically targets tomatoes and eggplant“If I have a plant, I can probably get a mite to go on it”Chemical Control & Resistance (No magic bullet—resistance can be localized to individual greenhousesFirst step: confirm the pest identification and assess infestation levelRemove heavily infested plants entirely (“a lost cause is just a waste of time and money”)Scout after treatment to verify the chemical actually workedSome chemicals like Avid act slowly—mites may look alive but are dead on their feet (“You could touch them and they’d fall over like tipping cattle”)Some newer products take up to seven days—patience and record-keeping are essentialThe Six-Bullet Rotation Strategy (Lance’s philosophy: “It’s like a gun—you’ve only got six bullets”Rotate chemistry class every 4–5 days for active infestationsUse 3–4 different modes of action maximum (not more)With 5–6 chemicals in rotation, the odds increase that one is a “dud” the mites are resistant to, breaking your cycleConsider residual activity—don’t switch too quickly or you’re just layering the same chemistryScout after every application to confirm efficacyNymphal stages are most susceptible to chemical treatment; eggs are least susceptibleNeem oil: Lance is “not that excited” about it for mitesEven water and soap can knock off small larvaeBiocontrol: The Predatory Mite Playbook (Lance is a lifelong biocontrol advocate, working on it since day one at MRECHis predecessor Dr. Hamlen pioneered work with Phytoseiulus persimilis and Phytoseiulus macropilis (indigenous to Florida)Californicus (Neoseiulus californicus): Lance’s top recommendationGeneralist feeder—survives on one egg per dayCan establish in crops and persist even when spider mite populations are lowMore tolerant of pesticide residues than persimilisSelected strains are highly resistant to bifenthrin/Talstar“Let them be your scouts”—release before you even find spider mitesPersimilis (Phytoseiulus persimilis): The knockout specialistMore voracious than californicus, knocks populations down fasterHighly host-specific—only feeds on two-spotted spider mites and a few othersExtremely sensitive to pesticides (“You open a bottle across the room and they almost die”)Best used in combination with californicus for heavy infestationsBanker Plants & Feltiella Midges (Banker plant systems maintain biocontrol populations in the greenhouse year-roundFeltiella acarisuga (predatory midge): remarkable searcher that flies throughout the greenhouseCan locate spider mites on a new plant across the greenhouse within three daysIn Florida outdoors, colonizes mite-infested plants within two weeksComplements predatory mites—flies where crawling mites can’t reachCombination approach: midges search the whole greenhouse while predatory mites work locallyIntegrating Bio & Chemical Control (Certain soft chemicals (like Sultan) can be used alongside predatorsFor growers new to biocontrol: use chemicals at end of crop cycle to “clean up” before shippingBiocontrol suppliers have trained field staff who know which predators tolerate which chemicals—use them as resourcesExtension agents, university researchers, and experienced growers can help get programs startedStart small: put a bean plant in the nursery, let mites colonize, add predators, and observeDisney World successfully used persimilis on roses but learned biocontrol isn’t a universal “cure-all”The biggest hurdle for growers: lack of training and resources, though consultants are rapidly increasingCultural Practices for Prevention (Quarantine incoming plants: don’t spread new material throughout the nursery immediatelyDip new plant material: 1% dish soap solution (local growers use Publix brand) controls mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids on unrooted cuttings with no disease increaseManage dust: mites thrive along roads where dust coats webbing and protects themEliminate pet plants: untreated personal plants in greenhouses become pest reservoirsControl weeds in aisles: untreated weeds harbor pest populationsWater management: high-pressure water can dislodge mitesPruning: mites prefer new growth; opening the canopy improves spray coverageSpray coverage is critical: build custom nozzles spraying both up and down; don’t rely solely on translaminar or systemic products like KontosIndicator plants over sticky cards: bean plants show mite damage quickly; sticky cards “catch more scouts than spider mites”Water-sensitive indicator cards placed under leaves reveal whether spray coverage is actually reaching the targetAdvice for Growers & Junior Faculty (For growers: “Be a pain in the ass”—researchers and extension specialists are here to help and don’t get enough visitorsMREC runs a plant clinic every TuesdaySeeing younger people bring plants in is encouragingBe excited, seek out people who can help, build relationshipsFor junior faculty: Be inquisitive, curious, and open your eyesTake time to enjoy the work despite mounting paperworkBecome part of the industry—join organizations like HRI and FNGLABuild trust with growers; don’t BS people (“If they’re still in business, they’re probably smarter than I am”)Find mentors and collaborators—“we can’t do this ourselves”Grant funding comes easier when people see you cooperateLance’s donut shop story: chance encounters with growers led to world-changing discoveries—the Delphastus beetle came from a grower’s backyard, and the PFR-97/Ancora fungus came from plants in his greenhouseMealybug Biocontrol: The Next Frontier (Lance’s current excitement: discovering unknown natural enemies of mealybugsMethod: place infested plants in bushes outdoors, retrieve them, and see what colonizesFinding predators, parasitoids, flies, ladybugs, and even a caterpillar feeding on mealybugsSome species are so new they can’t be identified yet—specimens sent to Gainesville for analysisThree most promising agents: a parasitoid, a ladybug, and a tiny fly—all now in colonies at MRECA Madeira mealybug parasitoid still awaiting identificationUltimate goal: find a commercial company willing to rear these natural enemies for saleBanker plant system already developed for mealybugs, but growers prefer purchasing and releasingKey Quotes“Spider mites were the most sprayed pests in ornamentals nationwide… So that was a logical place to start in trying to develop an IPM program.” — Dr. Lance Osborne“It’s like a gun. You’ve only got six bullets.” — Dr. Lance Osborne, on chemical rotation strategy“Let them be your scouts. Let them run around and look for spider mites.” — Dr. Lance Osborne, on releasing predatory mites preventively“You don’t BS people in this industry because if they’re still in business, they’re probably smarter than I am.” — Dr. Lance Osborne“Something’s eating them all.” — Dr. Lance Osborne, on the mystery of why mealybugs disappear outdoorsEducational HighlightsSpider Mite Life CycleFive developmental stages: egg → larva → protonymph → deutonymph → adult. Each immature stage has a feeding phase and a resting/molting phase. A complete generation can occur in as little as two weeks under warm conditions, making rapid population growth a constant threat in greenhouses.Why Scouting Beats Sticky Cards for MitesUnlike whiteflies and thrips, spider mites don’t fly and won’t reliably land on sticky traps. Instead, use indicator plants (lima beans work well—mites love them and damage shows quickly) and direct leaf inspection with a quality 10–20x hand lens.The Chemical Rotation DilemmaSpider mites develop localized pesticide resistance rapidly. Lance recommends limiting rotation to 3–4 modes of action rather than 5–6, because every additional chemistry increases the chance of including one the local population is already resistant to—creating a gap that allows the population to rebound.Biocontrol Pairing StrategyNeoseiulus californicus is the generalist “workhorse”—release preventively to establish a resident population that scouts for mites and survives on alternative food sources. Phytoseiulus persimilis is the specialist “knockout punch”—deploy into heavy infestations for rapid population reduction. Combining both provides the best results.Banker PlantsA system where non-crop plants maintain populations of beneficial organisms in the greenhouse year-round. For spider mites, banker plants support predatory mites and Feltiella midges even when pest populations are low, providing continuous biological surveillance.Translaminar vs. Systemic ActivityMany modern miticides are translaminar—they penetrate through the leaf to reach mites feeding on the underside. A few, like Kontos (spirotetramat), are systemic. However, good physical spray coverage remains essential; don’t rely solely on the chemistry to reach the target.Resources & LinksVisit the Show:Website: bandbpod.comShow notes and additional resources at bandbpod.comGuest Contact:Dr. Lance Osborne can be reached at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC), University of Florida — contact via email for PowerPoints and PDFs of his presentations🌻 AFE Resources — Mites & Insect Pests:In addition to the resources and information our guest shared in this episode, AFE has additional resources for mites and other insect pests that can be found on AFE’s website at endowment.org. Whether you’re dealing with spider mites, whiteflies, thrips, or other greenhouse pests, AFE’s research library is a valuable starting point for science-based management strategies.Get Involved:Subscribe to the podcastLeave a reviewShare with fellow growers and plant loversSupport the show (details at bandbpod.com)Funding & Acknowledgment:This episode in our first season is made possible through an educational grant from the American Floral Endowment, whose research priorities helped shape the topics that are featured. To learn more about AFE and access their research and educational resources, visit their website at endowment.org.About Blooms and BeyondBlooms and Beyond is a podcast that covers plant history, culture, and management through the lens of science. Whether you’re a commercial grower looking for management solutions, a student exploring horticulture careers, or someone who just loves plants and their stories, you’ll find something here for you. Hosted by Dr. Ping Yu from the University of Georgia, each episode features interviews with experts who bring enchanting stories, pioneering research, and practical wisdom from the world of horticulture.Your Takeaway: When you walk away from each episode, commercial professionals should have at least one piece of advice to help with production, and plant enthusiasts should have one cool fact to share about plants. Because that’s how we spread plant power to a larger audience and make the environment a little bit better.CreditsHost: Dr. Ping YuGuest: Dr. Lance Osborne, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC), University of FloridaProduction: University of Georgia Center for Urban AgricultureProducer: Rich BramanSupport: American Floral Endowment Educational Grant (2025–2026)AFE-Sponsored Episode: This is one of five AFE-sponsored episodes in Season 1, with topics shaped by AFE’s research priorities. Spanish translation of show notes available.Episode Release Date: February 15th, 2026Episode Length: “Till next time, stay healthy and go plants!” 🌱🌻🌿