Six-spotted mite and its predators on sprayed and unsprayed ‘Hass’ avocado trees

Abstract

ABSTRACT Six-spotted mite, Eotetranychus sexmaculatus (Riley), is an introduced pest of ‘Hass’ avocados in New Zealand. Avocado orchards were surveyed for six-spotted mite and its natural enemies during 2016–18. Mean counts of six-spotted mite differed when compared by year. For each year, the effect of not spraying or spraying according to an integrated pest management programme (AvoGreen®) was not consistent for most location and season combinations. When year was ignored and all locations considered together, the leaves of unsprayed trees had fewer six-spotted mites than those of sprayed trees during autumn/winter. The phenology of mites and their predators in relation to leaf abscission was also determined on unsprayed potted trees during 2018–20 at two sites. Defoliation occurred in October and November each year but the association with densities of six-spotted mites was not consistent. Four species of phytoseiid mite predators were identified on orchards and potted trees with the most common species being Amblyseius herbicolus. The coccinellid mite predators Stethorus bifidus and S. histrio occurred on potted trees. The evidence that predators were able to control six-spotted mite populations was somewhat equivocal. Trials comparing sprayed and unsprayed trees under the same nutrient management and during multiple seasons would be useful.