The Toxicity of Some Pesticide Residues to Adult Amblyseius hibisci, with a Compilation of the Effects of Pesticides upon Phytoseiid Mites

Abstract

The effects of the residues of 62 commercial pesticides upon the predatory phytoseiid mite, Amblyseius hibisci (Chant), were examined in the laboratory to obtain information on how this species may be protected in integrated chemical and biological control programs, and how the effectiveness of this predator May be measurted with pesticidal check procedures, i.e. by the host increase arising from the predator's elimination by pesticides. Methods of handling, feeding, and testing the adult mites are described. Laboratory test results on adult A. hibisci are presented along with a list of published laboratory and field reports on the effects of the same toxicants upon other species of phytoseiids. Almost all the organic phosphate and carbamate insecticides tested were moderately to highly toxic. Considerable tolerance was shown by the adults to 2 of the chlorinated hydrocarbons, 4 of the acaricides, 3 of the stomach poisons, and 4 of the fungicides tested. Conflicting reports of pesticide effects upon other phytoseiids emphasize the variability in response to be expected with different species of this group. Subjects discussed are pesticide specificity to phytoseiids, characterization of pesticides causing destruction of phytoseiids, potential integrated control or pesticidal check materials, and apparent associations between phytoseiid destruction and the increase of phytophagous mites.