Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) have been shown to eat the eggs of predator insects, and incidentally, also the eggs of other mite species. They tend to eat more such eggs when the host plants are less nutritious, suggesting the habit as a diet supplement. Both thrip larvae and adults attack the eggs. Dr. Arne Janssen and colleages at the University of Amsterdam, have discovered that predator insects such as Amblyseius degenerans (utilised as biological control agents) avoid laying eggs near where their eggs have been previously killed. Equivalent to a deterrent factor that has been calculated to lower the risk of predation of Frankliniella occidentalis by 4 times! The work suggests that biological control methods could be improved by focusing on the inter-reactions where plants favour the enemies of their enemies. "Commercial Greenhouse Grower" E-mail: green@actpub.co.uk