The use of surfactants to enhance acaricide control of Phytonemus pallidus (Acari: Tarsonemidae) in strawberry

The tarsonemid mite, Phytonemus (Tarsonemus) pallidus ssp. fragariae (Zimmerman), is a serious pest of strawberry throughout much of Europe and North America. Many of the plant protection products previously effective against the mite, which causes stunting and distorting of leaves and buds, reducing fruit yield and quality, are no longer available. Finding alternative acaricides for control is a priority. In two field trials, we tested 9 foliar applied plant protection products to determine the efficacy for control of Phytonemus pallidus, and to assess their effects on natural enemies. The products tested as foliar applications (dose ha⁻¹) were; abamectin 18 g/l EC (250, 500, 750, 1250 ml), tebufenpyrad 20% WP (500 g), fenpyroximate 51.3 g/l SC (1.0 l), bifenazate > 90% WP (400 ml), spiromesifen 24 g/l SC (500 ml), acequinocyl 15.8% SC (1.0 l), spirodiclofen 240 g/l SC (400 ml), etoxazole 110 g/l SC, and the surfactant, Silwett L-77 (Heptamethyltrisiloxane 0.05% (50 ml)). Effective products were used in admixture with the surfactant to investigate potential increased efficiency against P. pallidus. In each experiment, two applications were applied to plants previously inoculated with P. pallidus.