Evaluation of the Acaricidal Activity of Lithium Chloride against Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Abstract

Tetranychus urticae is a severe threat and a major source of yield loss in some agricultural and horticultural crops and it is also as a vector for several viruses. The number of active substances used against the pest is limited. Therefore, there is a continuous need for new active substances. Recently, lithium salts have been shown to be one of the most promising potential alternatives to control Varroa destructor; an apicultural mite pest. Based on this, we aimed to test whether the efficacy of lithium chloride extends to other agricultural mite pests, such as the two-spotted spider mite. In the present pilot study, we report for the first time that the efficacy of lithium chloride is extended to the two-spotted spider mite. Additionally, this is the first report on the acaricidal effectiveness of lithium on a plant mite pest. In the present study, we report three different concentrations that bear 100% mortality at concentrations of 5.52 M, 2.76 M, and 1.38 M. The symptoms caused were similar and followed the same sequence compared to those observed on animal parasites such as V. destructor and Dermanyssus gallinae.