Articles
BIOCONTROL OF TETRANYCHUS URTICAE IN GREENHOUSE TOMATO CROPS
Article number
1041_19
Pages
171 – 176
Language
English
Abstract
The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae is an important pest on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in greenhouses.
The predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis is often used to control T. urticae, but is not well adapted to tomato plants and does not control T. urticae efficiently on this crop.
New predators such as Phytoseiulus macropilis and new active ingredients such as bifenazat (Acramite®) or orange oil (PREV-AM®, PREV-B2®) are available in Europe to control T. urticae. However, they are not yet registered in Switzerland.
The objective of this study was to compare a chemical control strategy with a biological one based on the introduction of P. macropilis and treatments with soap (Natural®, a.i. potassium salt of fatty acids) and orange oil.
The trials were conducted, during 2011 and 2012, in a greenhouse divided into two compartments, one for chemical control and one for biological control.
In each compartment, T. urticae was introduced.
In the biological control compartment, P. macropilis were released.
Mobile stages of all species were counted regularly.
Bifenazat (Acramite) showed good efficacy against T. urticae in both years.
The mite population was reduced to nearly zero. Phytoseiulus macropilis seems to be a promising predator for the control of T. urticae on tomato.
The modalities of release (frequency, number of predators) have to be improved to enable a faster establishment of the predator.
The use of alternative products such as soap or sweet orange essential oil could be useful to limit T. urticae development during predator establishment.
The predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis is often used to control T. urticae, but is not well adapted to tomato plants and does not control T. urticae efficiently on this crop.
New predators such as Phytoseiulus macropilis and new active ingredients such as bifenazat (Acramite®) or orange oil (PREV-AM®, PREV-B2®) are available in Europe to control T. urticae. However, they are not yet registered in Switzerland.
The objective of this study was to compare a chemical control strategy with a biological one based on the introduction of P. macropilis and treatments with soap (Natural®, a.i. potassium salt of fatty acids) and orange oil.
The trials were conducted, during 2011 and 2012, in a greenhouse divided into two compartments, one for chemical control and one for biological control.
In each compartment, T. urticae was introduced.
In the biological control compartment, P. macropilis were released.
Mobile stages of all species were counted regularly.
Bifenazat (Acramite) showed good efficacy against T. urticae in both years.
The mite population was reduced to nearly zero. Phytoseiulus macropilis seems to be a promising predator for the control of T. urticae on tomato.
The modalities of release (frequency, number of predators) have to be improved to enable a faster establishment of the predator.
The use of alternative products such as soap or sweet orange essential oil could be useful to limit T. urticae development during predator establishment.
Authors
C. Camps, C. Gilli, S. Fischer
Keywords
Phytoseiulus macropilis, chemical control, spider mites
Online Articles (38)