Biopesticide and acaricides impair survival, predation, oviposition, and conversion of food into eggs of a phytoseid mite, Amblyseius largoensis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) is a predatory mite that occurs naturally in plants infested with the pest mite, Raoiella indica Hirst, and has been reported as a potential predator for the control of R. indica. Since A. largoensis is not available commercially, coconut producers have used products registered for another coconut pest mite (Aceria guerreronis Keifer) against R. indica with the aim of minimizing economic losses caused by this pest. However, it is possible to explore the natural contribution of this predator using control strategies that allow its conservation. Thus, in the present study, the effects of pesticides registered for the coconut crop (azadirachtin, abamectin, chlorfenapyr, and fenpyroximate) on the survival, consumption, oviposition, and feed conversion efficiency of A. largoensis were evaluated to determine the compatibility between acaricides and the predatory mite. The results showed that the acaricides abamectin, fenpyroximate, and chlorfenapyr reduced the survival of A. largoensis females. Abamectin was the only acaricide that reduced predation, oviposition, and the feed conversion efficiency of A. largoensis. Azadirachtin did not affect any of the assessed parameters. These results suggest a potential compatibility A. largoensis with the pesticides azadirachtin, fenpyroximate, and chlorfenapyr.