TESTING SIDE-EFFECTS OF COMMON PESTICIDES ON A. SWIRSKII UNDER GREENHOUSE CIRCUMSTANCES

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Entomology
• Pest Management
• Chemical Ecology

Background:

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) relies on compatible pest control methods.
• Existing pesticide side-effect data for beneficial arthropods is often limited or not field-tested.
• Selecting pesticides safe for natural enemies is crucial for sustainable agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a field-based protocol for assessing chemical pesticide side effects on predatory mites.
• To evaluate the compatibility of various commercial pesticides with the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii under greenhouse conditions.
• To provide growers with reliable data for selecting pesticides that do not harm beneficial insects.

Main Methods:

• A standardized greenhouse protocol using Hibiscus rosa sinensis and the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii was established.
• Pesticide applications were followed by regular counts of predatory mite populations over 12 weeks.
• Positive (water) and negative (deltamethrin) controls were included, alongside field-realistic application rates.
• Mite reintroduction was performed every four weeks to maintain population levels for accurate assessment.

Main Results:

• Water spray showed no negative effects, while deltamethrin was highly detrimental to Amblyseius swirskii.
• Pyrethrins and spinosad exhibited significant negative impacts on the predatory mite populations.
• Abamectin and bifenazate demonstrated intermediate toxicity, requiring cautious use.
• Several tested pesticides, including rapeseed oil, thiamethoxam, tolclofos-methyl, thiophanate-methyl, chloromequat chloride, lufenuron, pyridalyl, azadirachtin, spirodiclofen, pyridaben, hexythiazox, and cyflumetofen, were found to be safe for Amblyseius swirskii.

Conclusions:

• The developed field screening protocol effectively evaluates pesticide side effects on predatory mites.
• The study identified several pesticides compatible with Amblyseius swirskii, supporting IPM strategies.
• Regular updates and annual repetition of the screening are recommended to include new products and ensure ongoing safety for biological control agents.