title: Evaluation of site-specific tactics using bifenazate and Neoseiulus californicus for management of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in strawberries.
abstract: Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of site-specific tactics for management of the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, a major pest of greenhouse and field-grown strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne). Two site-specific (spot) treatments, the miticide bifenazate (Acramite(®)) and the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus McGregor, were compared with whole-plot treatments of bifenazate or N. californicus to determine whether T. urticae could be effectively managed in field-grown strawberry using only site-specific tactics. Additionally, the cost of site-specific tactics was compared with whole-plot treatments to determine the economic value of using site-specific management tactics for T. urticae in strawberries. In the greenhouse, all treatments equivalently reduced the number of T. urticae below control. In the field during the 2011-2012 season, more T. urticae eggs and motiles were in the whole-plot treatments of both N. californicus and bifenazate in the mid-season and late season, respectively, compared with the spot treatments. With the exception of site-specific N. californicus during the 2011-2012 field season, there were no differences in marketable yields between plots with site-specific treatments and whole-plot management. An economic analysis demonstrated a significant cost savings (75.3 %) with site-specific treatments of N. californicus compared with whole-plot application of N. californicus. Similarly, a 24.7 % reduction in cost was achieved in using site-specific bifenazate compared with whole-plot application of bifenazate. The findings indicate that site-specific treatments with N. californicus and bifenazate are competitive alternatives to whole-field application for T. urticae management in strawberries.
authors: Monsanto, 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63141, USA.
authors: Ruohan
authors: R
authors: Liu
authors: BASF Corporation, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA.
authors: Teresia W
authors: TW
authors: Nyoike
authors: Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Steinmetz Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. oeliburd@ufl.edu.
authors: Oscar E
authors: OE
authors: Liburd
mesh_terms: D056810:Acaricides; D000818:Animals; D002219:Carbamates; D031985:Fragaria; D006834:Hydrazines; D008925:Mites; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D012621:Seasons; D040102:Tetranychidae; D013983:Tick Control
chemical_list: D056810:Acaricides; D002219:Carbamates; D006834:Hydrazines; C508134:bifenazate
keywords: Predatory mite; Site-specific management; Strawberry; Tetranychus urticae