Effect of acaricide utilization in citrus on the population of Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) and predatory mites (Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in order to study the effects of some acaricides on Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes,1939) (Acari,Tenuipalpidae) and predatory mites (Phytoseiidae) hi citrus. The products tested and dosages in g AI/ 100 / of water were: fenpyroximate (5.0), acrinathrin (0.5), hexythiazox (1.5), amitraz (40.0) and sulphur (225.0). The acaricides fenpyroximate, acrinathrin and hexythiazox were efficient against B. phoenicis up to 127 days from the application date, whereas sulphur and amitraz presented good control up to 92 days and 58 days after treatment, respectively. Hexythiazox was fairly innocuous to predatory mites but, the remaining acaricides caused significant mortality to these mites. The pesticides sulphur, fenpyroximate and acrinathrin induced reductions of the population of phytoseid mites up to 58 days, but amitraz showed reductions up to 92 days after application.