Persian Journal of Acarology

Abstract The European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Acari: Tetranychidae) is one of the main pests of apple trees worldwide. The main purpose of this research was to study the repellent and lethal effect of Heracleum persicum Desf. and Trachyspermum ammi L. essential oils (EOS) on the European red mite. The EOS of H. persicum and T. ammi were extracted using a Clevenger device and by water distillation method. The mortality of the mites was evaluated after 24 hours and the lethality of each EO was calculated in contact and fumigant toxicity in an incubator at 26 ± 2 °C temperature, 16:8 h L:D, and 50 ± 5% RH. It was found that the LC50 values of EOS of H. persicum and T. ammi were 343.91 and 311.74 µL l-1 for contact toxicity, and 2.54 and 2.85 µL l-1 air for fumigant toxicity, respectively. With increasing the concentration of EOS, the death rate of mites was increased. Three different concentrations of the EOS from H. persicum and T. ammi were tested for their repellent effects on the European red mite. Results of the present study revealed, that the repellency rate increased with increasing concentration, meanwhile, the T. ammi EO had the highest repellency among the concentrations.

Abstract The coffee red mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Nietner), is a pest of major agricultural importance in tropical regions. This study evaluated the in vitro effect of two host plants, coffee (Coffea arabica) and Andean alder (Alnus acuminata), on the biological cycle and population parameters of O. coffeae under controlled conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 5 % RH, and a 16:8 h photoperiod). In addition, the acaricidal activity of ethanolic extracts of coffee and alder at concentrations of 5, 10, and 20% (w/v) was assessed using a leaf-dip bioassay, with mortality recorded at 24, 48, and 72 h and compared with a synthetic acaricide (propargite). The development of O. coffeae was significantly faster on coffee leaves (13.8 days) than on alder (16.2 days); however, fecundity and adult longevity were higher on alder, reaching 59.9 eggs per female. Population parameters were significantly higher on alder (rₘ = 0.254 day−¹; R0 = 52.4 female eggs/female), indicating a greater population growth potential on this host. The ethanolic extracts exhibited dose- and time-dependent acaricidal activity; at 72 h, the 20% concentration caused mortalities of 91.2% on coffee and 89.3% on alder, comparable to propargite. These results indicate that both host plants favor the development of O. coffeae and that their ethanolic extracts represent promising alternatives for the integrated management of this pest.

Abstract The broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) is a polyphagous pest with a cosmopolitan distribution. The combined application of botanical pesticides and entomo-acaropathogenic fungi may serve as an eco-friendly approach in controlling the mite. In this study, the Mimosa pudica (Fabales: Fabaceae) leaf aqueous extract (MpAE) was initially tested to determine its effects on the mycelial growth, sporulation, and conidia viability of the entomo-acaropathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae). The compatibility was then determined based on the biological index (BI) value. The bioefficacy of MpAE and B. bassiana at various concentrations was evaluated against P. latus, both alone and in combinations. Each treatment was sprayed into an arena containing a citrus leaf disc and gravid females of P. latus. The mortality and oviposition rate of the females were observed until 120 h after application. The results showed no reduction in B. bassiana mycelial growth, sporulation, and conidia viability when MpAE was incorporated into the culture medium. The BI value ranged from 100.01 to 136.30, indicating that MpAE was highly compatible with B. bassiana. The individual and combined applications of MpAE and B. bassiana significantly increased the mite mortality and simultaneously inhibited the mite oviposition rate. The mite mortality varied from 90 to 100% at 120 h after application in the treatment groups. The mite oviposition rate was significantly decreased, ranging from 11.50 to 29.00 eggs in the treatment groups, while it was 57.25 eggs in control. Therefore, the application of MpAE and B. bassiana propose a valuable alternative to integrate into pest management programs.