The effects of acequinocyl and spiromesifen+abamectin on the biological control potential of the predatory mites Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius swirskii

The two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) is one of the most important agricultural pests worldwide. Its common control is done by synthetic acaricides, which cause resistance, side effects on nontarget organisms, environment contamination and residues in agricultural products. The use of biological control agents with selective pesticides in integrated pest management (IPM) can be a successful method in reducing pesticides use and avoid TSSM resistant populations. In this study, the compatibility of sublethal concentrations of spiromesifen+abamectin (Oberon Speed®) ​​and acequinocyl (KaneMite®), with predatory mites Phytoseiulus persimilis (Athias-Henriot) and Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) was evaluated. The lowest and highest C0 parameters were observed in sublethal concentrations (LC30) and control of spiromesifen+abamectin and acequinocyl on P. persimilis (55.697, 77.914) and (49.833, 75.042), respectively. The same parameter in A. swirskii predatory mite was affected in the same way and the lowest concentration of this parameter was recorded in the LC30 concentration of spiromesifen+abamectin and acequinocyl with values ​​of 46.662 and 48.784, respectively. Based on observations and the reduction in prey consumption in two predatory mite species, the effects of spiromesifen+abamectin and acequinocyl were evident. Therefore, precautions should be taken when combining acaricide applications with the release of predatory mites to effectively manage TSSM. In IPM strategies for this pest, the negative effects can be minimized by carefully observing the interval between the application of spiromesifen+abamectin and acequinocyl and the release of predatory mites.