Effects of triflumuron on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranichydae)

The effects of triflumuron on the mortality, fecundity, and fertility of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, were evaluated in the laboratory. No differences in toxicity for larvae, protonymphs and deutonymphs were observed, but immature stages were 3.8-times more susceptible than adults at the LC50. The compound exhibited a direct contact ovicidal activity influenced by eggs age. 48-72 h old eggs were significantly more sensitive than eggs of the other age classes. No hatch inhibition was observed in eggs laid by treated adult females using a sublethal dose at two physiological times (<12 and 48-72 h old). However. fecundity decreased in younger treated females, but it increased in the older-ones. The toxicity for immatures and eggs, and the sublethal effects described suggest that triflumuron could be an interesting incorporation in integrated pest programs of T. urticae.