title: Compatibility of spinosad with predaceous mites (Acari) used to control Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spinosad is a biopesticide widely used for control of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande). It is reported to be non-toxic to several predatory mite species used for the biological control of thrips. Predatory mites Typhlodromips montdorensis (Schicha), Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) and Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) have been used for control of F. occidentalis. This study investigated the impact of direct and residual toxicity of spinosad on F. occidentalis and predatory mites. The repellency of spinosad residues to these predatory mites was also investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Direct contact to spinosad effectively reduced the number of F. occidentalis adults and larvae, causing > 96% mortality. Spinosad residues aged 2-96 h were also toxic to F. occidentalis. Direct exposure to spinosad resulted in > 90% mortality of all three mite species. Thresholds for the residual toxicity (contact) of spinosad (LT25 ) were estimated as 4.2, 3.2 and 5.8 days for T. montdorensis, N. cucumeris and H. miles respectively. When mites were simultaneously exposed to spinosad residues and fed spinosad-intoxicated thrips larvae, toxicity increased. Residual thresholds were re-estimated as 5.4, 3.9 and 6.1 days for T. montdorensis, N. cucumeris and H. miles respectively. Residues aged 2-48 h repelled T. montdorensis and H. miles, and residues aged 2-24 h repelled N. cucumeris.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Predatory mites can be safely released 6 days after spinosad is applied for the management of F. occidentalis.
authors: School of Animal Biology, the University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia. m.touhidur.rahman@gmail.com
authors: Touhidur
authors: T
authors: Rahman
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Spafford
authors: Sonya
authors: S
authors: Broughton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D020387:Food Chain; D031985:Fragaria / Q000469:parasitology; D007313:Insecta; D007306:Insecticides; D007814:Larva; D018942:Macrolides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008925:Mites / Q000187:drug effects*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D011235:Predatory Behavior
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D007306:Insecticides; D018942:Macrolides; D010573:Pesticide Residues; C415329:spinosad