Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, method and apparatus are disclosed for producing parasitic mites in quantities sufficient for commercial use as a biological control agent for selected insect pests. A parent stock of the parasitic mites is produced of which the greatest proportion are gravid female mites. A quantity of selected insect hosts is prepared for parasitization by the parasitic mites. Then the selected insect hosts are introduced into close proximity to the parent stock of parasitic mites and separated therefrom by a screen for permitting host-seeking parasitic mite offspring to find the insect hosts. The insect hosts are then exposed to the parent stock of parasitic mites for a predetermined time period for parasitizing the insect hosts by the host-seeking parasitic mite offspring.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, method and apparatus are provided for the airborne dispensing of loose, dry insect eggs from a container by gravity flow through a metering device to control the loose egg flow to a spreader for spreading the loose eggs in a desired broadcast pattern entrained in a flow of air. A slight vacuum is applied to the container dispenser device stimulating and enhancing the steady flow of the loose eggs from the container dispenser to the spreader device.