Resistance of Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Acari: Eriophyidae) to acaricides in Turkey

Abstract

Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Acari: Eriophyidae) is a significant pest. The use of pesticides is the main strategy for its control and it has increased year by year. However, citrus growers stated that the effects of the acaricides have decreased in recent years. In order to determine whether this is due to resistance, P. oleivora populations were collected from Erdemli (Mersin), Karataş, Kozan, Yüreğir (Adana), and Balcalı (as a susceptible) in Turkey. Adults were bioassayed with abamectin, sulfur, spirodiclofen, and pyridaben, which are widely used and have different modes of action. Based on the bioassay experiments, the most resistant population to abamectin was found to be that from Kozan with 25.31-fold, and the population with the lowest resistance was determined to be that from Yüreğir with 8.13-fold both compared to susceptible population. All populations showed low resistance against sulfur, the highest resistance ratio to sulfur was found in Yüreğir with 2.53-fold. The highest resistance population against spirodiclofen was detected in Erdemli with 24.00-fold, followed by Karataş, Yüreğir, and Kozan populations with 15.39, 14.05, and 9.21-fold, respectively. The resistance ratios of P. oleivora populations against pyridaben were found to be 30.30, 15.85, 10.10, and 7.55-fold in Erdemli, Kozan, Yüreğir, and Karataş, respectively. The detected status of acaricide resistance indicates that this phenomenon takes place and should be a concern in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkish populations of P. oleivora requiring monitoring and planning of resistance management strategies. The use of acaricides with different modes of action in sequential spraying is essential to prevent the development of resistance.