Sustainable management of Brevipalpus yothersi (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) and Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) using aqueous extracts

Botanical extracts represent promising alternatives to synthetic acaricides, particularly for managing pest species that rapidly develop insecticide resistance. This study evaluated the acaricidal potential of aqueous extracts from Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach, Ruta graveolens, Dysphania ambrosioides, and Trichilia pallida against two mites of agricultural interest: Brevipalpus yothersi and Tetranychus urticae. Bioassays were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, and mortality, survival dynamics, and lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) were quantified. All five extracts significantly reduced mite survival compared with the untreated control, although with marked variation in potency. Melia azedarach, A. indica (leaves), and R. graveolens exhibited the strongest activity, achieving rapid mortality and high control effectiveness across evaluation periods. Dose–response analyses confirmed M. azedarach as the most toxic extract for both species, with the lowest LC50 values. These results highlight the potential of selected botanical extracts as effective components of integrated mite management, particularly in systems where resistance and environmental concerns limit reliance on conventional acaricides. Further studies should address chemical standardization, formulation development, selectivity, and field validation.