Control of the strawberry mite, Phytonemus pallidus (Banks) in strawberry plantations by alternative acaricides

Due to the withdrawal from the plant protection industry of several main insecticides (e.g. endosulfan, amitraz and propargite) commonly used to control the strawberry mite (Phytonemus pallidus spp. fragariae), there is a constant need to search for new control measures against this pest. The efficacy of spirotetramat (Movento 150 OD at rates of 0.5 and 0.7 and Movento 100 SC at rates of 0.75 and 1.0 l ha−1), abamectin (Vertimec 018 EC, 1.0 l ha−1) and abamectin (1.0 l ha−1) + the adjuvant Slippa (0.2 l ha−1) for control of strawberry mite was evaluated in the current study. Pyridaben (Sanmite 20 WP, 2.25 kg ha−1) was used as a reference product. All of the products were used twice at weekly intervals, after fruit harvest, when the population of P. pallidus exceeded the risk threshold. All products significantly reduced P. pallidus populations in strawberry plantations compared to control plots. The results obtained with spirotetramat were dependent on dose and formulation, and ranged from 60% to over 90% efficacy. The efficacy of abamectin for controlling the mobile forms of strawberry mite was 81–99%. This active ingredient applied in combination with the adjuvant did not display any better level of control than when applied alone (efficacy 77–95%). The results obtained with the reference product (pyridaben) were similar or slightly lower (average > 80%) than those obtained with the test products.