RASPBERRY LEAF AND BUD MITE (PHYLLOCOPTES GRACILIS) IN SERBIA: THE PEST STATUS AND CONTROL OPTIONS

The raspberry leaf and bud mite, Phyllocoptes gracilis (Nal.) is the most important secondary pest of raspberry in commercial production plantations in Serbia, which may cause significant damage to a raspberry planting if control measures are not carried out. In the past organophosphates and pyrethroids, insecticides with a wide activity spectrum and added acaricidal activity, were the main protection against this insect pest, partially resolving the issue. Besides them, endosulfan was widely used, an organochlorine substance known for its high efficacy in eriophyoid control. Nowadays, most of these substances are withdrawn from use or are facing withdrawal procedure. Except abamectin and milbemectin, insecticides recommended instead of organophosphates and other substances of older generations do not have significant activity against mites. Besides, P. Gracilis populations often reach high abundance, and after harvest in dryer years a more significant presence of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is usually recorded, so acaricides have to be included in raspberry protection programs. Propargite, organotins (cyhexatin, fenbutatin-oxide), benzoylureas (flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron), and hexythiazox – acaricides of older and mid-generations still available on the market – proved to be efficient in eriophyoid control. Among acaricides commercialized in the last 15-20 years, a high activity against eriophyoids is exhibited by METI acaricides (fenazaquin, fenpyroximate, pyridaben, tebufenpyrad), diafenthiuron, chlorfenapyr, and tetronic acid derrivatives (spirodiclofen, spiromesifen). In order to improve the control of raspberry leaf and bud mite, laboratory and field research is needed with emphasis on biorational and alternative acaricides and their compatibility with the predatory mite Phytoseius macropilis Banks, which is an efficient natural regulator of P. gracilis in Serbian raspberry plantations.