Effects of selected pesticides on the predatory mite, Amblyseius cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Effects of field rates of selected pesticides to the predatory mite, Amblyseius cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), were evaluated in laboratory bioassays. Five of the pesticides tested, acequinocyl, bifenazate, spirodiclofen, spinosad and thiamethoxam, had little effect on the survival and reproduction of A. cucumeris adult females and eclosion of eggs deposited by treated predators. Moreover, hatch percentage of A. cucumeris eggs was unaffected by exposure to these five pesticides. Etoxazole did not seriously affect the survival and reproduction of adult female predators but caused significant lower eclosion in eggs laid by treated females and 100% egg mortality. Thiacloprid, imidacloprid, fipronil and chlorfenapyr had considerable toxic effect on A. cucumeris adult females. Pyraclofos, abamectin and emamectin benzoate were very toxic to adult female predators. Based on the results, acequinocyl, bifenazate, spirodiclofen, spinosad and thiamethoxan appear to be promising candidates for use in integrated pest management programs where A. cucumeris is the major natural enemy.