Pesticide toxicity toward pink citrus rust mite, Aculops pelekassi (Keifer), in Shizuoka Prefecture

Abstract

We used a citrus seedling dipping method to evaluate pesticide toxicity toward pink citrus rust mite, Aculops pelekassi (Keifer), collected in Shizuoka Prefecture from three citrus orchards that had different pesticide use histories. Mancozeb and bifenazate were determined to be less effective against the three populations (correction density index >11), whereas lepimectin, milbemectin, lufenuron, amitraz, acequinocyl, pyridaben, tolfenpyrad, spiromesifen, fluazinam, and quinoxaline were highly effective (correction density index <2). In addition, the toxicity of pesticides not registered for use against the mite was evaluated in one population. Ethiprole, spinosad, pyrifluquinazon, hexythiazox, buprofezin, spirotetramat, cyenopyrafen, cyflumetofen, cyantraniliprole, flubendiamide, and mepanipyrim were determined to be highly effective (correction density index <2). When applying chemical control measures to A. pelekassi, however, care should be taken regarding the type and application timing of these effective pesticides, because some of them have serious harmful effects on natural enemies.