Side-effects of five acaricides on Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) under field conditions in vineyard

Spider mites began to be serious problem in Europe after the World War II. The spread use of synthetic pesticides was one of the main causes for spider mite outbreaks, mainly due to the harmful effect on natural enemies, specially, phytoseiid mites.

Neverthless, acaricides are very useful for the control of these pest and, for this reason, to study their compatibility with natural enemies will facilitate their incorporation into Integrated Spider Mite Management (IPM) programmes.

The Plant Protection Products Directive (91/414/EEC) for registration, and authorization of use of every active ingredient in the European Union, includes Typhlodromus pyri as a test species for pesticide harmful effects.

The effect of the acaricides abamectin, acequinocyl, etoxazole, fenpyroximate, and spiromesifen on wild populations of T. pyri was evaluated under field conditions in a vineyard in La Rioja (Spain).

The reduction of T. pyri populations varied among treatments and time after treatments. The conservation of natural enemies of injurious mites is a key aspect in IPM programs. Prior assessment of plant protection products should be done before the integration of pesticides and biological control practices.