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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #361207
Research Project: New Technologies and Strategies to Manage the Changing Pest Complex on Temperate Fruit Trees

Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research

Title: New research on miticides: spider mite resistance and harmful non-target effects on predators

Author
item BERGERON, PAUL - Clemson University
item Schmidt, Rebecca

Submitted to: North American Strawberry Growers Newsletter
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2019
Publication Date: 3/29/2019
Citation: Bergeron, P., Schmidt-Jeffris, R.A. 2019. New research on miticides: spider mite resistance and harmful non-target effects on predators. North American Strawberry Growers Newsletter. Issue March 2019; pg. 6-9.

Interpretive Summary: Twospotted spider mites (TSSM) are a major pest of strawberries in southeast, where they are primarily controlled by miticide applications. Researchers have determined that spider mite populations in South Carolina strawberry are resistant to bifenthrin, fenbutatin-oxide, and abamectin miticides, but not other registered products. Examination of non-target effects of these miticides on the beneficial predatory mites that consume spider mites found that Brigade was the most harmful product for all the predators tested. Nealta and Savey selectively killed TSSM and were safe for all predators tested. Interestingly, Acramite and Kanemite are marketed as safe for predatory mites, but Kanemite was found to be toxic for all predators tested and Acramite was only safe for use with P. persimilis. This information allows growers to select products that are effective against TSSM, but minimally harmful to predatory mites, reducing pesticide use by promoting biological control.

Technical Abstract: Twospotted spider mites (TSSM) are a major pest of strawberries in southeast, where they are primarily controlled by miticide applications. Researchers at the USDA-ARS in Wapato and Clemson University determined that spider mite populations in South Carolina strawberry are resistant to bifenthrin, fenbutatin-oxide, and abamectin miticides, but not other registered products. Examination of non-target effects of these miticides on the beneficial predatory mites that consume spider mites found that Brigade was the most harmful product for all the predators tested. Nealta and Savey selectively killed TSSM and were safe for all predators tested. Interestingly, Acramite and Kanemite are marketed as safe for predatory mites, but Kanemite was found to be toxic for all predators tested and Acramite was only safe for use with one of the predators (P. persimilis). This information allows growers to select products that are effective against TSSM, but minimally harmful to predatory mites, reducing pesticide use by promoting biological control. This reduction in pesticide use will result in grower savings for labor, pesticide, and fuel costs and reduce the amount of pesticide released into the environment.