Toxicity of some Acaricides Against Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) under Laboratory Conditions in The New Valley, Egypt

Abstract

The date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. is an important fruit trees growing in the New Valley, Egypt. The old world date mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor, 1939) (Acari: Tetranychidae) is one of the most harmful pests of the date palms, due to the economic damage caused in the production of dates especially in the New Valley, Egypt. Thus, the efficiency of some recommended chemical compounds (i.e., abamectin (1.8% EC), chlorfenapyr (36% SC), fenopyroximate (5% EC), cyflumetofen (20% SC) and hexythiazox (10% WP) against the pest was evaluation under laboratory conditions. The experiments were carried out at the laboratory of the Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, the New Valley University. The date fruits-dip bioassay method was used. The mortality percentages of the pest adult stages were recorded after 1, 6, 12 and 24-h exposure periods. Results of the LC 50 values of abamectin, chlorfenapyr, cyflumetofen, fenopyroximate and hexythiazox after 24-h were 0.05, 0.07, 0.13, 0.55 and 6.89 ppm, respectively. Abamectin was the most toxic one of all tested acaricides. The results showed that, the acaricides used are important tools in the control of the O. afrasiaticus on date palm trees.