The predaceous mites of the families Phytoseiidae and Stigmaeidae are the most important natural enemies of Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) on citrus. This mite causes serious damages to the yield due to the transmission of Citrus leprosis virus (CiLV). Despite the considerable amount of information on susceptibility of phytoseiids to pesticides, the effect of these compounds is not very known for stigmaeid mites in Brazil. This work was carried out to evaluate the effect of the main pesticides used in citrus orchards on the predaceous mite Agistemus brasiliensis Matioli, Ueckermann & Oliveira (Acari: Stigmaeidae) in laboratory conditions. Citrus leaf ("Pera" cultivar) arenas with 25 adult females of A. brasiliensis were sprayed in a Potter tower. The mortality of mites was assessed 72 hours after treatment. The effect of pesticides on the reproduction of mite and egg viability was also evaluated. According to the proposal of the Working Group of "International Organization for Biological Control" (IOBC), the pesticides were classified as: class 1 - harmless (E<30%), acrinathrin, bifenthrin, carbosulfan, deltamethrin; 2 - slightly harmful (30%<E<79%), acephate, thiamethoxam; 3 - moderately harmful (80%<E<99%), abamectin, chlorfenapyr, chlorpyrifos, dicofol, dimethoate, dinocap; 4 - harmful (E>99%), lime sulfur, cyhexatin, flufenoxuron, hexythiazox, fenbutatin oxide, propargite, pyridaben and spirodiclofen. Studies in the field conditions are still necessary for a better understanding of the effect of these chemicals on the predaceous mite.
Natural enemies; citrus; integrated pest management; biological control
