Toxicity of different acaricides to Typhlodromus pyri adult females

Knowledge of the specific effects of acaricides against natural enemies may facilitate their integration into IPM programs. Toxicity of abamectin, acequinocyl, fenpyroximate, etoxazole, spirodiclofen and spiromesifen on adult female Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was assessed following different exposure routes: worse case situation (WCS), leaf surface residue (LSR), direct contact (DC) and contamined food (CF). Toxicity and total effects varied among chemicals and exposure route. Overall, fenpyroximate and abamectin were the most harmful acaricides tested, while spiromesifen and spirodiclofen were the least. WCS and LSR were the most toxic exposure routes, CF was the less toxic. Knowledge of toxicity effects of selective acaricides on specific predators would greatly help their integration into spider mite management programs