The toxicity of selected pesticides against ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae schrank, under in vitro assay

The ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank), is one of the major pests of southern dry cured ham. Stored product mites have usually been controlled by the same pesticides as stored product insects. However, there is limited information regarding efficacy of residual pesticides application for managing ham mite in dry cured ham plants. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of commercially available pesticides that may create a protective barrier near dry cured hams in aging areas. Formulations of Abamectin®, Ornazin®, Floramite®, Mavrik®, Centynal®, Phantom® and Storcide II® were diluted in water and applied to the surface of 4.0 ml glass vials. One hundred unsexed adult mites in five replications were examined for each treatment and mite mortality at 24 hours was recorded. Among all of the tested pesticides, Phantom® and Storcide II® were the most toxic compounds to ham mites and there was a significant difference in mortality between pesticide treatment and control. Based on the highly toxic effects of some of the tested pesticides against ham mites, these pesticides should be studied further as potential tools in the control of this mite.