Abstract

Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a notorious crop pest with a worldwide distribution that has developed resistance to a wide range of acaricides. Combined tactics of pest management have special significance not only for a reduction in pesticide residues but also to maintain the natural enemy activity, which is an objective of IPM programs. Here, we investigated the effect of low-lethal concentrations of bifenazate at LC10, LC20, and LC30 on development and reproduction parameters of Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Lethal and sub-lethal concentrations were estimated using leaf dip bioassay method. The crude data were analyzed based on age-stage, two-sex life table analysis. Toxicological assays showed bifenazate treatments gradually decreased the longevity and total life span of both sexes. Our results indicated that reproductive and total fecundity of the next generation were also affected by sublethal concentrations. All concentrations caused a significant decline in oviposition days, compared to the control. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) varied from 0.1344 to 0.1151 day-1 for the mites treated with distilled water and LC30 treatments, respectively. The finite rate of increase (λ) was affected by the acaricide concentration (lowest at LC30 concentration: 1.1221 day-1). Bifenazate concentration (LC10, LC20 and LC30) treatments gradually reduced the gross reproduction rate (GRR) and net reproductive rate (R0). Based on obtained results from current study, bifenazate is not a favorable acaricide with A. swiriskii and cannot be recommended to use with this predatory mite in integrated management.