Mite Oligonychus Research Articles

Novel Temperature-Dependent Development Rate Models for Postdiapause Egg Eclosion of Three Important Arthropod Pests Found in Commercial Christmas Tree Plantations of Southern Québec, Canada.

The balsam twig aphid Mindarus abietinus Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), the spruce spider mite Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi) (Acari: Tetranychidae), and the pine needle scale Chionaspis pinifoliae (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) are three important pests for the Christmas tree industry of Québec, Canada. Temperature-dependent development rates for postdiapause overwintering eggs of these species have never been studied for populations of southern Québec, where the vast majority of Christmas trees are grown. The accumulation of physiological time in growing degree days (GDD) is a standard tool to predict egg eclosion dates for pests, when first generation immatures are most vulnerable to insecticidal control. Development rates for postdiapause eggs were tested at four or five constant temperatures in the 11-23°C range under controlled conditions, based on time before hatching for eggs collected in a balsam fir plantation in late winter. The standard linear model and three published nonlinear models were fitted to the data and compared for their ability to estimate key biological temperature parameters and to predict development rates of postdiapause eggs. Validation of model predictions of egg eclosion time on balsam fir in the field was reasonably accurate using the classical linear model where field-accumulated GDD were calculated with a particular interpretation of the average method based on daily maximum and minimum temperatures. The linear model could predict mean egg eclosion within around 5 d of eclosion dates observed in the field.

Biology and life-table of Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) athenas (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed with the Old World Date Mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The old world date mite Oligonychus afrasiaticus is an important spider mite pest of the date palms Phoenix dactylifera L. mostly in North Africa and the Middle East. A population of the predaceous mite Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) athenas has been recently found in Tunisia in association with a decrease of O. afrasiaticus densities. The objective of this paper was to assess the development and reproduction abilities of T. ( A.) athenas on O. afrasiaticus under laboratory conditions at two temperatures: 27 and 32 °C. The results obtained show that females of T. (A.) athenas develop in 5 days at 27 °C and 4.1 days at 32 °C. The mean fecundity of T. (A.) athenas was 32.1 and 23.2 eggs per female at 27 and 32 °C, respectively. Life table parameters were stimated: the net reproductive rate (Ro) 27.9 and 17.9 eggs/female, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) 0.322 and 0,344 female/female/day and the mean generation time (T) 10.3 and 8.4 days at 27 and 32 °C, respectively. At both temperatures tested, T. (A.) athenas intrinsic rate of increase was greater than that of O. afrasiaticus (rm = 0.213 at 32 °C,against rm = 0.166 day1 at 27 °C). Typhlodromus (A.) athenas would be able to develop at a wide range of temperatures feeding on O. afrasiaticus and seems to be able to potentially control it.

Biological Control of Southern Red Mite, <i>Oligonychus ilicis</i> (Acari: Tetranychidae), in Coffee Plants

The species of mite Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) (Tetranychidae) is an important pest of dicotyledonous plants, cosmopolitan and polyphagous, reported in seven countries from four continents, feeding on 34 plant species of 15 families. The spider mite O. ilicis is known in Brazil as coffee red spider mite, and as southern red mite most in other countries. In Brazil O. ilicis has been reported as the second most important pest of “Conillon” coffee, Coffea canephora Pierre & Froehner, in the state of Espírito Santo. Depending on the number of mites per leaf of arabica coffee, Coffea arabica L., the rate of potential photosynthesis can be reduced by 37% to 50%. In the present study, it was investigated the potential of the two predatory mites which, among others, naturally occurs in coffee plantations, Euseius alatus DeLeon and Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant) (Phytoseiidae), in the control of O. ilicis in coffee plants. It was used potted coffee plants in this research, with approximately 100 cm high, growing in a greenhouse covered with transparent plastic and shading material of 50% sun protection factor, and with fine mesh on all the sides. Results showed that both species of predatory mites, A. herbicolus and E. alatus, are efficient in reducing the mobile phases—larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs and adults—of the southern red mite O. ilicis. So, the importance of conservation and increase number of these predatory mites in the field coffee growing is essential for implementing the southern red mite integrated management tactic, since these species are of natural occurrence in coffee plants.

Field Evaluation of Date Palm Dust Mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) Control on Date Palm Trees in New Valley Governorate of Egypt

The old world date mite (dust mite) Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) is one of the major pests of date fruit in the New Valley Governorate of Egypt. This pest mite affects the fruits of palm trees during the growth and ripening stages as they sucking the fruit juice, leading to stop fruit growth and destroying the crop. This research was carried out in Sharq El-Owainat province for evaluating the effects of biochemical acaricide (Vertimec 1.8% EC as 40 ml/100 liter of water), four acaricides (i.e. Abroch 5% SC as 50 ml/100 L of water, Challenger Super 24% SC as 60 ml/100 L of water, Envidor 24% SC as 30 ml /100 L of water and Ortus Super 5% EC as 50 ml/100 L of water), one insecticide (Tafaban 48% EC as 300 ml/ 100 L of water), a mineral oil (KZ oil 95% EC as 1L/100 L of water), sulfur (Micronite 80% WP as 500 g/100 L of water) and water for O. afrasiaticus in two date palm cultivars Barhi and Bartmoda. Results indicated that in date palm cultivar Barhi, Challenger Super and Vertimec were the most effective ones in reducing date palm mite population reaching 91.93% and 91.60%, respectively, followed by Abroch, Ortus Super, Tafaban and Envidor which gave reduction ranged between 85.07% to 87.74%. Micronite, KZ oil and water gave reduction between 71.77 and 82.82% after two weeks of application. Challenger Super, Vertimec, Ortus Super and Envidor were the most effective ones in reducing O. afrasiaticus population reaching 95.37%, 94.18%, 91.05% and 90.34%, respectively in date palm cultivar Bartmoda. Abroch, KZ oil, Tafaban, and Micronite was gave reductions between 77.79% and 82.74%. The lowest was water (61.93%) after two weeks of application.We suggest that use Challenger Super, Vertimec, Ortus Super and Envidor were the most effective ones in reducing O. afrasiaticus populations.

Pest categorisation of Oligonychus perditus.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the spider mite Oligonychus perditus Pritchard and Baker (1955) (Acari, Tetranychidae), for the EU. O. perditus is a well‐defined and distinguishable species, native to China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, and recognised mainly as a pest of Juniperus spp., Chamaecyparis spp. and Platycladus spp. It is absent from the EU and is listed in Annex IIAI of Directive 2000/29/EC. Its host plants, Juniperus spp. and Chamaecyparis spp., are also listed in Annex III of Directive 2000/29/EC. Plants for planting, cut flowers and branches are considered as pathways for this pest, which is also able to disperse naturally with the wind, over rather short distances. O. perditus has repeatedly been intercepted in the EU but does not appear to have established, although a small population of O. perditus survived 8 years on a single imported plant in the Netherlands. As the host range of O. perditus coincides with that of the closely related cosmopolitan Oligonychus ununguis, which occurs in the EU, it is quite likely that the presence of O. perditus in the EU would cause little additional damage. Cultural control (sanitation and destruction of infested material) and chemical control (acaricides, e.g. abamectin) are the major control methods. All criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential quarantine pest are met, though there are some uncertainties regarding impacts. The species is presently absent from the EU, and thus, the criteria for consideration as a potential regulated non‐quarantine pest are not met.

Effect of certain indigenous technical knowledge on the management of red spider mite (Oligonychus coffeae) in tea

<p>An investigation was carried out at Deha Tea Estate, Jorhat, Assam during 2015-16 by using different indigenous technical<br />knowledge (ITK) prevalent among different small tea growers. Fish extract at (0.25, 0.5 and 1%), Polygonum hydropiper at (2.5,<br />5 and 7.5%) and Azadirachtin (Neemazal-F 5%) were evaluated in field conditions against tea mite. The result showed that fish<br />extract in combination with cow dung, cow urine and water when sprayed at one per cent concentration, significantly reduced red<br />spider mite population (96.5%), percentage of leaves infestation (5.2%) and leaf area infested by the mite (11.6%). P. hydropiper<br />in combination with cow urine and water when sprayed at 7.5 per cent concentration significantly reduced red spider mite<br />population (87.5%), percentage of infestation (9.1%) and leaf area infested by the mite (12.9%). Among all the ITKs, fish extract<br />at one per cent caused higher reduction of infestation of red spider mite followed by P. hydropiper extract at 7.5 per cent.<br />Influence of both the treatments on the management of red spider mite was at par with that of commercial Azadirachtin.</p>

Efficacy of certain common ferns against red spider mite Oligonychus coffeae and tea mosquito bug Helopeltis theivora infesting tea

In search for botanicals as an alternative remedy to synthetic chemicals in the pest control of tea plantations, ferns such as Adiantum raddianum, Asplenium aethiopicum, Cyclosorus interruptus, Dicranopteris linearis, Diplazium polypodioides, and Pteridium aquilinum were evaluated against the two major pests of tea, red spider mite Oligonychus coffeae Nietner and tea mosquito bug Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse, which are the foremost seasonal pests in tea fields, causing severe crop loss. Apart from synthetic chemicals, only the neem kernel extract is recommended in tea fields. The aqueous extracts of ferns were screened at different concentrations against these pests under laboratory and field conditions. The extracts of P. aquilinum and D. linearis showed good contact toxicity at a 5% concentration to O. coffeae. The acaricidal activity was observed in the order P. aquilinum > D. linearis > C. interruptus > A. raddianum > D. polypodioides > A. aethiopicum. Under field conditions, the extract of D. linearis and P. aquilinum showed a 50% reduction in the population of red spider mite and caused no phytotoxic effect to tea leaves. But their insecticidal activity was less pronounced against H. theivora. They exhibit antifeedant activity, which was sustained only for 24 hours. The photochemical screening of extracts showed a qualitatively increased level of saponins in P. aquilinum, D. linearis, and C. interruptus. The study shows that the aqueous extracts of D. linearis and P. aquilinum can be incorporated in the mite control programme in tea.

Azadirachtin on Oligonychus yothersi in yerba mate Ilex paraguariensis

ABSTRACT: The red mite Oligonychus yothersi is one of the main pests of yerba mate in Brazil The damage this mite causes leads to leaf drop and decreased production. There are no registered acaricides for use in yerba mate; thus, laboratory and field experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of azadirachtin (Azamax(r), 250mL 100L-1) for the control of the red mite in yerba mate. In the laboratory, azadirachtin was applied to yerba mate leaf disks before (residual contact) and after (direct contact) infestation with 15 newly emerged red mite adult females. The effect of azadirachtin on mite behavior was evaluated in arenas with treated and untreated yerba mate leaves, and the number of mites in both areas was recorded. Ovicidal action was evaluated by applying azadirachtin to eggs and recording egg hatching. In the field, two applications of the product were performed (1L spray liquid plant-1) with a 7-day interval. The numbers of living mites were evaluated at 7, 14 and 21 days following the first application on randomly collected leaves. It was observed 86.6 and 91.4% of mortality following 24h of residual and direct contact, respectively. Repellent (62% of individuals leaving the treated area) and ovicidal (98.9% decrease in egg hatching) effects were also observed. The mite population in the yerba mate crop field had decreased by 59.6% at 14 days after the first application of azadirachtin. The results show the potential of azadirachtin for the control of O. yothersi in yerba mate in Brazil.

First host record for <I>Dichrogaster fulvescens seminigra</I> Townes (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), a Parasitoid of <I>Mallada desjardinsi</I> (Navas) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Associated with Tea Ecosystem

The larva of green lacewing, Mallada desjardinsi (Navas) is an important predator of red spider mite (RSM) Oligonychus coffeae , infesting tea. Mallada desjardinsi is reported as potential biological control of RSM, but the report on its parasitoids is scarce. Here we report the parasitism of M. desjardinsi by a species of ichneumon wasp. Mallada desjardinsi is the first host report for Dichrogaster fulvescens seminigra Townes, a sub species of Dichrogaster fulvescens. Five field collected larvae of M. desjardinsi were being found to be parasitized by this parasitoid. Dichrogaster fulvescens emerged after 9.5 d of pupal period. A broader understanding of the tritrophic level interactions that encompasses parasitoid-predator can enhance our ability to design effective biological control strategies.

Different population densities and continuous feeding by Oligonychus yothersi (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) affect the emissions of herbivore-induced plant volatiles on avocado (Persea americana Mill. cv. Hass) shoots under semi-field conditions

ABSTRACTPlants attacked by insects and mites release blends of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), which act as chemical cues that attract predators and/or repel herbivores alongside alerting neighbouring plants. The chemical profiles of avocado (Persea americana Mill. Cultivar Hass) shoots infested with the foliar mite Oligonychus yothersi (Acari: Tetranychidae) were analysed using a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS); the different collections of volatiles were performed under semi-field conditions in summer. Four infestation treatments were applied to the avocado shoots (uninfested plant or control; low, medium and high mite-infestation levels). The chemical profiles collected in situ changed qualitatively and quantitatively after infestation, increasing the emissions of (Z)-β-ocimene, (E)-β-ocimene, β-linalool, α-farnesene, farnesyl cyanide and methyl salicylate (MeSA) as opposed to those of the uninfested shoots. The amount of HIPVs emitted by the avocado shoots with the highest O. yothersi population density (250 ± 10 mites per leaf) were greater than those of the shoots infested with the lower population density (60 ± 10 mites per leaf); to the emissions of (E)-β-ocimene, sesquiterpenes and MeSA at higher amounts even after seventeen days of continuous infestation. Likewise, the emissions of HIPVs increased with each infestation level; also fluctuating between collecting dates, which indicates that environmental conditions maximized or constrained those emissions. In addition, the damaged foliar area increased with higher O. yothersi population densities after seventeen days of infestation. These results indicate that higher mite-population densities and continuous O. yothersi-feeding increases the amounts of HIPVs emitted by O. yothersi-infested shoots in summer.

INFLUÊNCIA DE INSETICIDAS UTILIZADOS NO CONTROLE DO BICHO-MINEIRO DO CAFÉ SOBRE A POPULAÇÃO DE ÁCAROS FITÓFAGOS

INFLUÊNCIA DE INSETICIDAS UTILIZADOS NO CONTROLE DO BICHO-MINEIRO DO CAFÉ SOBRE A POPULAÇÃO DE ÁCAROS FITÓFAGOS

Temperature-dependent development and life history of Oligonychus litchii (Acari: Tetranychidae), on wax apple

The litchi spider mite Oligonychus litchii Lo & Ho is one of the major pests of fruit crops in Taiwan. This study investigated the life history of the litchi spider mite on wax apple (Syzygium samarangense Merr. & Perry) at five constant temperatures (16, 20, 25, 30, and 32°C) under 70±5% RH and a 12L:12D photoperiod. Ninety-five percent of the eggs hatched at 20, 25, and 30°C, respectively. The entire developmental period was 40.3days at 16°C and only 9.3days at 32°C. The low developmental threshold temperature for development from egg to adult was 10.1°C, and the effective accumulated temperature was 197.5degree–days (DD). Unmated female mites had the longest life span although the oviposition period shortened as temperature increased. Mated female mites produced significantly more eggs than unmated females. At most, a mated female could produce an average of 3.5 eggs per day at 25°C and a maximum of 60.3 eggs over the entire oviposition period at 20°C. Unmated females exclusively produce male offspring, indicating that litchi spider mites are arrhenotokous. At 25°C, the intrinsic rate of increase (r) was 0.1610day−1, the net reproductive rate (R0) was 19.58 offspring, the finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.1747day−1, and the mean generation time (T) was 18.50days. The results obtained in this study provide useful information to aid in the development of phenological models for pest monitoring programs of O. litchii in Taiwan.

Degree-day model for predicting emergence of spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguis Jacobi) from overwintering eggs

Degree-day model for predicting emergence of spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguis Jacobi) from overwintering eggs

Field studing of the biology of date dust mite Oligonychus afrasiaticus

The date dust mite Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) is one of the main pest that infest date trees in Iraq and cause great quantity and quality losses in dates production if the pest is not controlled.The research delt with the studing of the population density of date dust mite during April – December of the year ( 2013) besides the biology of this mite in the field. The study revealed that the appearing of this mite was in the begining of April (2013) when hibernated females ( deutogyne ) were appaered , then the population of this might start to increase gradually to reach its peak in middle August , this increasing was synchronized with the gradual temperature increase and with the decreasing of relative humidity , after that the population density of this might begin to decrease when the temperature start in decreasing to reach lowest level in the month December and developed to the females (deutogyne ) in January . The biological study results on the date leaves, green date fruits (Alkhalal alakhther) and yellow date fruits (Alkhalal alasfar) revealed significant differences between instar grow means of females and males. Significant differences are also appeared between longevity of the females and males , which was longer in females compared with males on the green fruits and yellow fruits ( 14.7 , 11.75) day and (12.81, 11.5 ) day respectively. The results revealed also that is the fecundity of females which grew on green date fruits and yellow date fruits are ( 19 , 28.25 ) egg respectively during their longevity , the preoviposition period of females on the green date fruits and yellow date fruits were ( 1.54 . 0.65 ) day respectively.

First record of the Persea Mite Oligonychus perseae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Italy with a review of the literature

The Persea Mite Oligonychus perseae Tuttle, Baker and Abbatiello, is reported for the first time in Italy. The pest was found on avocado in Sicily (South Italy), in August 2014. The predatory mite Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese) was found in association with O. perseae colonies.

Field Applications of Silicon-Based Fertilizers Against Sugarcane Yellow Mite Oligonychus sacchari

Field trials were performed to examine the effects of foliar application of three silicon-based fertilizers (Potassium silicate, Agrisil, PQ Corporation, South Africa; Potassium silicate, NTS Australia and Silamol, Roam Chemie, Belgium) against sugarcane yellow mite Oligonychus sacchari on four sugarcane varieties: CP48-103, CP57-614, CP69-1062 and SP70-1143. Two applications of these fertilizers were applied before mite infestation, and the number of mites was recorded 10, 20, 30 and 40 days after second application of the silicon fertilizers. For evaluating the effects of silicon treatments on the predatory beetle, Stethorus sp.; the number of beetles was also recorded 10, 20, 30 and 40 days after second application of the silicon fertilizers. The results showed that there was a significant difference among silicon fertilizers and control group of mite and predatory beetle’s populations. The number of mites in the control group of all the varieties was between 9.17 and 14.02 after 40 days; whereas population density of mites reduced significantly in all the silicon treated plots in comparison with the control. In addition, population density of predatory beetles was affected by mite’s population and the number of beetles reduced in the treated plots. However, according to the importance of applying IPM programs in fields incorporating of acaricides with other reduce-risk strategies including biological control agents should be considered as a sugarcane IPM program.

Toxicity of organic-coffee-approved products to the southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis and to its predator Iphiseiodes zuluagai

Organic coffee growers in Brazil often spray a wide range of organic-farming compatible products to control pests including the southern red mite, Oligonychus ilicis. However, most of these products have not yet been proven to be effective for mite control and there is no information about their side effects on natural enemies. We evaluated the lethal and sublethal effects of three organic compatible products, the biofertilizer Supermagro, a fresh bovine manure supplemented with micronutrients, bone meal, unrefined sugar, and milk to stimulate fermentation, an enriched Bordeaux mixture (Viça Café Plus®) and lime sulfur to O. ilicis and to its predatory mite Iphiseiodes zuluagai. Additionally, we evaluated the efficacy of these products against O. ilicis under greenhouse conditions. Only lime sulfur showed acute lethal effects at concentrations lower than the field recommended rates (20–40 ml/l). The predatory mite I. zuluagai was more tolerant than its prey to the three products based on acute lethal concentration bioassays. The instantaneous rate of increase (ri) of O. ilicis when exposed to lime sulfur at field recommended rates was negative but ri of the predatory mite, I. zuluagai was not. The ri of the predatory mite was lower than that of its prey under Supermagro and Viça Café exposure, including at their field recommended rates (200 ml/l and 10 g/l, respectively). In a greenhouse experiment, the control efficacy against O. ilicis 14 days after spraying reached levels higher than 80% for all three products. Lime sulfur has the potential to control O. ilicis in organic coffee plantations. Although, Supermagro and Viça Café exhibited potential to control O. ilicis in the greenhouse, the product concentrations used were very high and may lead to selectivity problems. Therefore, spraying suitable concentrations of such products taking into account their effectiveness against O. ilicis and their selectivity to natural enemies are important for ecological pest management in organic coffee besides benefiting coffee plant nutrition.

Single versus multiple enemies and the impact on biological control of spider mites in cassava fields in West-Africa

To determine whether to use single or multiple predator species for biological pest control requires manipulative field experiments. We performed such tests in Benin (West Africa) in cassava fields infested by the cassava green mite Mononychellus tanajoa, and the cotton red mite Oligonychus gossypii. These fields also harboured the cassava apex-inhabiting predator Typhlodromalus aripo and either the leaf-inhabiting predator Amblydromalus manihoti or Euseius fustis. We manipulated predator species composition on individual plants to determine their effect on prey and predator densities. In fields with T. aripo plus A. manihoti, M. tanajoa densities were reduced by T. aripo alone or together with A. manihoti, but neither of these predators, alone or together, reduced O. gossypii densities. In fields with T. aripo plus E. fustis, T. aripo alone or together with E. fustis exerted significant control over O. gossypii, but weak control over M. tanajoa. Densities of any of the predator species were not affected by co-occurring predator species, suggesting a minor role for intraguild predation in the field, contrary to earlier experiments on small plants in the laboratory. We conclude that (1) T. aripo is the most effective predator species in suppressing M. tanajoa, (2) two predator species, T. aripo and E. fustis, are needed to suppress O. gossypii, and (3) predator species together on the same plant do not negatively affect each other nor the extent to which they control their prey. We argue that intraguild predation is reduced due to partial niche separation among predator species.

Beyond selectivity: Are behavioral avoidance and hormesis likely causes of pyrethroid-induced outbreaks of the southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis?

Secondary pest outbreak is a counterintuitive ecological backlash of pesticide use in agriculture that takes place with the increase in abundance of a non-targeted pest species after pesticide application against a targeted pest species. Although the phenomenon was well recognized, its alternative causes are seldom considered. Outbreaks of the southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis are frequently reported in Brazilian coffee farms after the application of pyrethroid insecticides against the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella. Selectivity favoring the red mite against its main predatory mites is generally assumed as the outbreak cause, but this theory has never been tested. Here, we assessed the toxicity (and thus the selectivity) of deltamethrin against both mite species: the southern red mite and its phytoseid predator Amblyseius herbicolus. Additionally, behavioral avoidance and deltamethrin-induced hormesis were also tested as potential causes of red mite outbreak using free-choice behavioral walking bioassays with the predatory mite and life-table experiments with both mite species, respectively. Lethal toxicity bioassays indicated that the predatory mite was slightly more susceptible than its prey (1.5×), but in more robust demographic bioassays, the predator was three times more tolerant to deltamethrin than its prey, indicating that predator susceptibility to deltamethrin is not a cause of the reported outbreaks. The predator did not exhibit behavioral avoidance to deltamethrin; however insecticide-induced hormesis in the red mite led to its high population increase under low doses, which was not observed for the predatory mite. Therefore, deltamethrin-induced hormesis is a likely cause of the reported red mite outbreaks.

Impact of Azter (azadirachtin 0.15% EC), a neem-based pesticide, against tea red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae Neitner (Acarina: Tetranychidae), and its natural enemies

Azter (azadirachtin 0.15% EC), a neem-based pesticide, was evaluated for acaricidal activity against the red spider mite (RSM) Oligonychus coffeae at three different concentrations (1125, 2250 and 3375 mL/ha) under laboratory and field conditions. All the tested concentrations caused 100% mortality under laboratory conditions. When RSMs were provided with Azter-treated leaves for egg-laying, the numbers of eggs laid were significantly lower than that on untreated control leaves. Application of Azter did not affect the non-target organisms such as Mallada desjardinsi and Oligota pygmaea (natural enemies of RSM). Based on the results obtained from the laboratory studies, a field study was conducted to confirm the acaricidal effect of Azter and the results revealed the potential utility of this neem-based biopesticide as safer for natural enemies in an integrated pest management programme against RSM to minimize the pesticide load in the tea ecosystem.