Effects of Certain Pesticides on the Predatory Mite Typhlodromus ndibu Pritchard and Baker (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

Typhlodromus ndibu Pritchard and Baker (Acari: Phytoseiidae), collected from citrus orchards in the southern region of Vietnam, has been identified as a natural enemy of the citrus red mite Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae). It holds potential as a laboratory-reared predator for biological control purposes. However, the research on T. ndibu remains limited. This study focuses on investigating the effects of fenpyroximate, alpha-cypermethrin, pymetrozin, buprofezin, matrine, and azadirachtin on this predatory mite in laboratory conditions. Fenpyroximate was the most toxic substance against T. ndibu, affecting its fertility, egg-hatching rate, and population establishment ability. The mortality rate among adult female T. ndibu is (73.97 ± 2.43%), and (89.09 ± 0.00%) in the immature stages after 72 h of exposure to fenpyroximate. Matrine and azadirachtin—active ingredients of plant origin—were classified as slightly harmful to T. ndibu with mortality rates among adult females and the immature stages being less than 50%. The implications of the obtained results regarding the integration of biological and chemical control methods may facilitate the more effective development of integrated pest management (IPM) programs.