Effects of azadirachtin on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and its compatibility with predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on strawberry.
BACKGROUND
The spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is the major strawberry pest in Brazil. The main strategies for its control comprise synthetic acaricides and predatory mites. The recent register of a commercial formula of azadirachtin (Azamax(®) 12 g L(-1) ) can be viable for control of T. urticae. In this work, the effects of azadirachtin on T. urticae and its compatibility with predatory mites Neoseiulus californicus and Phytoseiulus macropilis in the strawberry crop were evaluated.


RESULTS
Azadirachtin was efficient against T. urticae, with a mortality rate similar to that of abamectin. In addition, the azadirachtin showed lower biological persistence (7 days) than abamectin (21 days). Azadirachtin did not cause significant mortality of adult predatory mites (N. californicus and P. macropilis), but it did reduce fecundity by 50%. However, egg viability of the azadirachtin treatments was similar to that of the control (>80% viability). The use of azadirachtin and predatory mites is a valuable tool for controlling T. urticae in strawberry crop.


CONCLUSIONS
Azadirachtin provided effective control of T. urticae and is compatible with the predatory mites N. californicus and P. macropilis. It is an excellent tool to be incorporated into integrated pest management for strawberry crop in Brazil.
Department of Entomology and Acarology, University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP)-Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. dbernardi2004@yahoo.com.br
Daniel
D
Bernardi
Marcos
M
Botton
Uemerson Silva
US
da Cunha
Oderlei
O
Bernardi
Thibaut
T
Malausa
Mauro Silveira
MS
Garcia
Dori Edson
DE
Nava
D000053:Acari / Q000187:drug effects*; D056810:Acaricides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D031985:Fragaria; D036701:Limonins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D040102:Tetranychidae / Q000187:drug effects
D056810:Acaricides; D036701:Limonins; C010329:azadirachtin