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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #313606
Title: Effect of selective foliar insecticides on Amblyseius swirskii, 2014

Author
item KUMAR, VIVEK - University Of Florida
item McKenzie, Cindy
item OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Arthropod Management Tests
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/22/2015
Publication Date: 9/1/2015
Citation: Kumar, V., McKenzie, C.L., Osborne, L.S. 2015. Effect of selective foliar insecticides on Amblyseius swirskii, 2014. Arthropod Management Tests 40:G4, 2pp. 2015. (Report).

Interpretive Summary: Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot is a generalist predator, widely known for their biocontrol potential against multiple pests (mites, thrips and whiteflies) of nursery and greenhouse crops. The current study was conducted with an objective to evaluate susceptibility of Amblyseius swirskii (A. swirskii) to conventional insecticides known to be effective against various greenhouse pests. Results showed that Spintor and Epimek and Movento were found to be most toxic immature and adults of A. swirskii compared to other treatments. Overture was found to be least toxic against three life stages of A. swirskii among all the insecticide treatments.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of selected chemical insecticides against a phytoseiid mite Amblysieus swirskii Athias-Henriot, an effective predator of western flower thrips and other key pests of nursery production. The trial was conducted at United States Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce, Florida in hope to find a compatible insecticide with Amblysieus swirskii (A. swirskii) in order to integrate in control program of thrips. A. swirskii population varied greatly, however significant reduction in mite number were observed in all the treatments compared to control. Overall Spintor, Epimek and Movento were found to be most lethal against the three life stages (eggs, nymphs, adults) of predatory mites. Significant reduction in mite eggs was observed (compared to control) in Spintor (76-90%), Epimek (78-91%) and Movento (69-83%) on DAT 5, 10 and 15. Similar results were obtained while evaluating different treatments for A. swirskii nymphs and adults, where Spintor, Epimek and Movento provided significant suppression in mites count compared to untreated control on all the sampling dates, except DAT 1. Among all the insecticide tested, Overture was found to be least effective (benign) against eggs, nymphs and adults of A. swirskii.