ANTI-RESISTANCE STRATEGIES FOR TWO-SPOTTED SPIDER MITE, TETRANYCHUS URTICAE (ACARI: TETRANYCHIDAE), IN STRAWBERRY CULTURE

D. Bylemans, F. Meurrens
The availability of new, highly active acaricides for the control of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, in strawberry culture greatly relieved many growers and advisors. Due to their new mode of action as inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration, use was possible in regions in which two-spotted spider mites had developed resistance to several existing groups of acaricides. The knock-down effect and the excellent activity against a mixed population of this pest made these compounds very popular for use throughout the season. Besides, these compounds have a short preharvest interval, making use in everbearing cultivars possible. Inevitably, the success of these compounds creates the danger of a rapid development of resistance. A field experiment executed in 1995 indicated for the first time in Belgium an insufficient control of T. urticae by a single treatment with pyridaben. This particular strain with a decreased susceptibility was isolated and further reared in a glasshouse. Dose response trials on beans indicated that the susceptibility of this strain of T. urticae for two other acaricides acting as inhibitors of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, fenpyroximate and tebufenpyrad, had also decreased. In contrast, the action of azocyclotin, an organotin compound, on this particular strain was completely comparable with a susceptible strain, which indicated the specificity of the changes in susceptibility for compounds of the new group of acaricides. These experiences with these fairly new compounds stresses once again the importance of anti-resistance strategies. Taking Belgian authorization into account, an anti-resistance strategy for T. urticae is proposed.
Bylemans, D. and Meurrens, F. (1997). ANTI-RESISTANCE STRATEGIES FOR TWO-SPOTTED SPIDER MITE, TETRANYCHUS URTICAE (ACARI: TETRANYCHIDAE), IN STRAWBERRY CULTURE. Acta Hortic. 439, 869-876
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1997.439.142
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1997.439.142
Fragaria x ananassa, pest control, acaricide, METI, pyridaben, fenpyroximate, tebufenpyrad

Acta Horticulturae