THE RESIDUAL AND DIRECT EFFECTS OF REDUCED-RISK AND CONVENTIONAL MITICIDES ON TWOSPOTTED SPIDER MITES, TETRANYCHUS URTICAE (ACARI: TETRANYCHIDAE) AND PREDATORY MITES (ACARI: PHYTOSEIIDAE)

Abstract

The residual effects of several reduced-risk and conventional miticides were evaluated in strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne) on the twospotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and on 2 predatory mites, Neoseiulus californicus McGregor and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Experiments were conducted in the laboratory and greenhouse. The greenhouse experiments also tested the direct effects of the miticides on TSSM. The efficacy of conventional and reduced-risk miticides was evaluated on strawberry leaf discs and on whole plants for control of TSSM. Furthermore, the residual effects of these miticides were evaluated on whole strawberry plants against selective predatory mites. For TSSM, 5 treatments were evaluated: a conventional miticide; fenbutatin-oxide (Vendex®) and 3 reduced-risk miticides; binfenazate (Acramite 50WP®), activated garlic extract (Repel®), sesame seed and castor oil (Wipeout®), and a water-treated control. For predatory mites, the residual effects of only Acramite® and Vendex® were evaluated. Acramite® was the most effective acaricide in reducing TSSM populations in both the laboratory and greenhouse experiments. Vendex® and Wipeout® were also effective in the laboratory, but did not cause significant reduction of TSSM in the greenhouse. Repel® was the least effective of the 4 pesticides evaluated. Neither Acramite® nor Vendex® had a significant effect on either predatory mite species. However, there appeared to be more predatory mites on the Vendex®-treated plants than on the Acramite®-treated plants. There were significantly more predatory mites of both species on the cue plants, which were inoculated with TSSM versus the non-cue plants, which were not inoculated.