The objective of this study was to evaluate the side effects of the main pesticides used in adult and immature Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). The tests were carried out in the laboratory by using the contact and residual spraying method on the leaf surface. It was tested tebufenozide, phosmet, methidation, chlorpyrifos, abamectin, fenpyroximate, pyridaben, captan, mancozeb (two concentrations) and dithianon. To calculate the total effect (E%) on the adults, it was evaluated the mortality, oviposition and viability of eggs, and for the immature ones, only the mortality. The results of E% were assessed 96 hours after the spraying. The products were classified considering the total effect (E%) of toxicity proposed by the IOBC/WPRS. Phosmet, tebufenozide and methidation were innocuous; abamectin, fenpyroximate, chlorpyrifos, captan, mancozeb (two concentrations), and dithianon were slightly harmful, and pyridaben was moderately harmful to the N. californicus adults. As the pesticide selectivity for the immature ones, it was verified that abamectin and pyridaben were moderately harmful, and the others were innocuous. The treatment with 320 g.a.i./100l of mancozeb was the most harmful to N. californicus. No product has been classified as harmful to N. californicus, showing tolerance to these pesticides. These results allow a choice and a more adequate handling for the pesticides used in commercial orchards of apple trees, so that the presence of this mite predator has ability to control red mite.
Acaricides; insecticides; fungicides; side effects
