Abstract

CUA-BASULTO, Marcos E. et al. Lethal and sublethal effects of synthetic acaricides in predatory mites of the family Phytoseiidae. Acta univ [online]. 2021, vol.31, e3052.  Epub June 20, 2022. ISSN 2007-9621.  https://doi.org/10.15174/au.2021.3052.

The objective of this research was to evaluate in laboratory the toxicity of synthetic acaricides in the Phytoseiidae predatory mites Amblyseius swirskii and Neoseiulus californicus, as well as to determine by meta-analysis of published studies the sublethal effects of acaricides in species of the family Phytoseiidae. In the laboratory evaluation, spirodiclofen, fenpyroximate, and acequinocyl presented the lowest values of LC50 and LC90. When comparing the recommended field application rate, spirodiclofen would have a higher toxic effect on the evaluated predatory mites than on phytophagous mites. With respect to the meta-analysis, this showed that all acaricides have significant negative effects on survival, fertility, and oviposition period. The miticides that inhibit the mitocondrial electron transport, known as METI I, had greater negative effects on survival, fertility, and oviposition, especially on the Neoseiulus and Phytoseius genera. Synthetic acaricides have lethal toxic effects and sublethal effects on the Phytoseiidae predatory mites.

Keywords : Toxicity; survival; beneficial mites.