AUTHOR=Vechia Jaqueline F. Della , Andrade Daniel J. , Tassi Aline D. , Roda Amy , van Santen Edzard , Carrillo Daniel 

TITLE=Can predatory mites aid in the management of the citrus leprosis mite?

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Agronomy

VOLUME=5

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/agronomy/articles/10.3389/fagro.2023.1304656

DOI=10.3389/fagro.2023.1304656

ISSN=2673-3218

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>The flat mite <italic>Brevipalpus yothersi</italic> is the main vector of citrus leprosis in South and Central America and Mexico, where vector suppression using conventional acaricides is usually the only disease control method, leading to problems with acaricide resistance. This mite is present in Florida, where several viruses known to cause citrus leprosis were recently detected. This research builds preparedness for managing emerging viral diseases and mitigating potential problems associated with acaricide resistance by addressing the compatibility of chemical and biological control strategies against <italic>B. yothersi.</italic> The predatory mite <italic>Amblyseius largoensis</italic> has shown promise as a biological control agent of <italic>B. yothersi.</italic> However, the effects of acaricides used in citrus on this predator are unknown.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>This study investigated the impact of different routes of acaricide exposure on <italic>A. largoensis</italic>, including direct contact, pesticide-contaminated prey, residual contact, and combined exposure routes in laboratory settings. Additionally, the efficacy of <italic>A. largoensis</italic> in controlling <italic>B. yothersi</italic>, alone and in combination with acaricide applications, was evaluated under greenhouse conditions.</p></sec><sec><title>Results and discussion</title><p>Commonly used acaricides like abamectin and spirodiclofen were highly effective in controlling <italic>B. yothersi</italic> and only slightly harmful to <italic>A. largoensis</italic>. Other acaricides were also effective against <italic>B. yothersi</italic> but were less compatible with the predatory mite. In the greenhouse trial, all acaricides, alone or in combination with the predators, and the predators alone, effectively suppressed <italic>B. yothersi</italic> one month after treatment application. However, <italic>B. yothersi</italic> populations significantly increased one month later in the abamectin-alone and predator-alone treatments. At the same time, the combination of abamectin and predators provided <italic>B. yothersi</italic> suppression throughout the experiment. The fenpyroximate-predator combination also provided better control than each treatment applied independently. All other acaricides provided prolonged <italic>B. yothersi</italic> control, hindering biological control probably due to the lack of prey for <italic>A. largoensis</italic>. Research findings highlight the potential for enhancing the selectivity of acaricides towards <italic>A. largoensis</italic> by manipulating their exposure route. Combining predatory mites with acaricides shows promise in improving <italic>B. yothersi</italic> management.</p></sec>