Efficacy of five selected acaricides against Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and their side effects on relevant natural enemies occurring in citrus orchards.
BACKGROUND
Three groups of natural enemies are fundamental in citrus IPM in Spain: coccinellid and phytoseiid predators and hymenopteran parasitoids. Tetranychus urticae Koch is an important pest affecting citrus, for which biological control has not yet been achieved; therefore, acaricides are commonly used to control it. The goal of this study was to measure the efficacy of different acaricides on this mite and their side effects on three natural enemies relevant for citrus (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, Neoseiulus californicus McGregor and Aphidius colemani Viereck).


RESULTS
Some products proved highly effective against T. urticae and harmless to A. colemani (mineral oil, tebufenpyrad, clofentezine and fenazaquin). However, almost all products tested were slightly harmful for both the predators considered. Fenazaquin was even moderately harmful for N. californicus.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies, like that presented here, are necessary to gain a better understanding of integrating biological and chemical controls. When considering both efficacy and side effects on beneficial arthropods, the best options would seem to be mineral oil, tebufenpyrad and clofentezine. However, it is urgent to complete testing of the side effects of the acaricides used in citrus. This question is crucial if the fact that two recently introduced Tetranychidae are being controlled in citrus by chemical means exclusively is considered.
Urbaneja
Alberto
A
Unidad Asociada de Entomología IVIA-UJI-CIB CSIC, Spain. aurbaneja@ivia.es
Pascual-Ruiz
Sara
S
Pina
Tatiana
T
Abad-Moyano
Raquel
R
Vanaclocha
Pilar
P
Montón
Helga
H
Dembilio
Oscar
O
Castañera
Pedro
P
Jacas
Josep A
JA
D000818:Animals; D002957:Citrus / Q000469:parasitology*; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000187:drug effects*; D006927:Hymenoptera / Q000187:drug effects*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D040102:Tetranychidae / Q000187:drug effects*; D013983:Tick Control
D007306:Insecticides