Management of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, on strawberry and ornamental plants, in the state of São Paulo

Abstract

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is one of the most important pests of strawberry and ornamental plants (e.g. roses, chrysanthemum) in Brazil. One of the problems faced by the growers is the low efficacy of T. urticae control through the use of acaricides. The biological unbalance caused by the elimination of natural enemies and the development of resistance to several acaricides in this species are among the main causes for the problems of control. The objective of this research is to provide basic information for the management of mites on strawberry and ornamental plants. The specific objectives are: to study the resistance of T. urticae to the acaricides used on these crops in the state of São Paulo; to study the sensibility of predaceous mites (Phytoseiidae) to some agrochemicals used on these crops; to study the viability of the release of predaceous mites (Phytoseiidae) on commercial strawberry fields for the biological control of the two-spotted spider mite; and to study the viability of the use of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of T. urticae on ornamental plants. Studies on molecular characterization of different entomopathogenic fungi (efficient against T. urticae) will also be conducted. (AU)