Search

The present study was conducted to determine the direct and residual effects of five pesticides, namely abamectin, bifenthrin, dimethoate, propargite and sulphur againstTetranychusurticaeand residual toxicity of these pesticides toNeoseiulus californicusadults. In the laboratory trials, except dimethoate, all the pesticide treatments caused 100% mortality ofT. urticaeadults within 24–48 hours. When toxicity to eggs was tested, the egg mortality for all pesticide treatments was significantly higher than the control. Except dimethoate, all the pesticides caused >90% egg mortality. In potted bean plants, all the pesticide treatments caused significant mortality ofT. urticaepopulations over control up to 21 days. The residual effects of pesticides were tested onT. urticaeandN. californicususing a leaf disc system in the laboratory. Mites were exposed to freshly sprayed leaf disc and after at 3, 7, 14 and 21. Abamectin showed higher efficacy againstT. urticaebut low toxicity againstN. californicus. Residual toxicity of pesticides toN. californicusadults varied but remained toxic toN. californicuslonger than toT. urticae. Bifenthrin had the longest residual effect on adultsN. californicus, causing mortality of 23% after 21 days; propargite and dimethoate caused <30% mortality after 14 days of exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]