Sublethal effects of abamectin on the biological performance of the predatory mite, Phytoseius plumifer (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

Traditionally estimating pesticide effects by measuring only lethal effect may underestimate the total negative effect on beneficial arthropods and sublethal effects should be assessed to estimate the total effect of their applications. In this study, sublethal effect of the acaricide abamectin (Vermectin(®) 1.8% EC, Giah, Iran) on the predatory mite Phytoseius plumifer (Canestrini & Fanzago) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed on Tetranychus urticae Koch was assessed in laboratory conditions. The adult predators were exposed to the residues of the acaricide on fig leaves and the LC(50) value was determined based on a concentration-response analysis. The results showed that sublethal concentrations (LC(10), LC(20) and LC(30)) of abamectin severely affected the fecundity and longevity of the treated females of P. plumifer. Furthermore, reproductive and life table parameters of the subsequent generation were affected. The results indicated that adverse effects of abamectin on population growth of P. plumifer were significant, so the results from this study can be used to develop approximate guidelines for the use of abamectin in order to minimize their impact on P. plumifer and related natural enemies.

The effects of a windborne pollen‐provisioning cover crop on the phytoseiid community in citrus orchards in Israel

“…Though abamectin is toxic or has sublethal effects on some phytoseiid species, it was reported as harmless for A. swirskii and only slightly harmful to E. stipulates , which is considered a rather tolerant species . Similarly, we did not detect an effect of abamectin application on the phytoseiids in Akko.…”

Lethal and sublethal effects of fluralaner on the two‐spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

“…Numerous studies have been conducted to analyze the sublethal effects of various acaricides, including pyridine, azomethine, pyrethroid, neonicotinoids, tetrazine and organophosphates derivatives towards TSSM . It is surprising that sublethal concentrations of certain acaricides possibly lead to an increase in TSSM populations rather than a reduction due to physiological and biochemical adaptation .…”

“…8,40 Numerous studies have been conducted to analyze the sublethal effects of various acaricides, including pyridine, azomethine, wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/ps pyrethroid, neonicotinoids, tetrazine and organophosphates derivatives towards TSSM. 41,42 It is surprising that sublethal concentrations of certain acaricides possibly lead to an increase in TSSM populations rather than a reduction due to physiological and biochemical adaptation. 4,43,44 For example, the LC 20 of spinetoram could increase the number of eggs per female adult to 117.13%, which indicates that spinetoram is likely to cause outbreaks of TSSM in the field.…”

Effect of sublethal doses of abamectin on demographic traits of tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

“…Based on their results abamectin is potentially compatible with a chosen Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. Hamedi et al (2011) reported negative effects of abamectin on population growth of predator Phytoseius plumifer (Canestrini and Fanzago, 1876) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). They showed that their results can be used to develop approximate guidelines for the use of abamectin to decrease their effects on P. plumifer and related natural enemies.…”