The present invention relates to a mite composition, the rearing thereof and to the use of the composition for controlling crop pests. The invention provides a mite composition comprising: - a rearing population of a phytoseiid predatory mite species , - a population of at least one species from the order Astigmata, and - optionally a carrier, wherein the population of the species from the order Astigmata is not alive. In particular the population of the species from the order Astigmata is in fast frozen form. The composition is used for controlling crop pests, such as thrip species. The crops may be greenhouse grown crops and open field crops.
