The impact of pesticides used in greenhouses, on the predatory mite neoseiulus californicus (parasitiformes, phytoseiidae)

Abstract

Nine commercial pesticides currently used in Russian greenhouses against pests (aphids, thrips, whiteflies) were selected to determine their toxicity to predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus McGregor in order to find out the potential use him affected by chemical treatments Vertimec (abamectin), Fitoverm (aversectin C), Clipper (bifenthrin), Novaction (malation), Oberon (spiromesifen), Bitoxibacillin (Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis), Actara (tiametoxam), Admiral (piriproxifen), Confidor (imidacloprid), Mospilan (acetamiprid). The recommended concentration of the preparation (T), half the concentration (1/2T), and a double concentration (2T) were used on the female mite in the experiments. The side effects of the pesticides applied to the predator mite were determined one, three, and five days after the application. The recommended concentration of the preparation of Vertimec, Fitoverm and Clipper showed a higher toxic effect on N. californicus femails (mortality rate 100%). The obtained data reveals the impossibility of their joint application with the release of N. californicus. The toxic effects of Mospilan, Confidor, Admiral, Actara, Bitoxibacillin and Novaktion on N. californicus females were a low level (mortality of females 0-16,6%). The present study confirms that the use of predatory mite N. californicus in combination with these pesticides prospectively in Integrated Pest Management in Russian greenhouse conditions.