Evaluation of Typhlodromus recki as a Biological Control Agent in Integrated Pest Management Systems
2026 - Volume: 66 Issue: Suppl pages: 280
https://doi.org/10.24349/yccf-uwzp
ICA 2026 - XVII International Congress of Acarology, 20-24 July 2026, Montpellier
Keywords
Phytoseiidae
Predator
Side effect
Pesticide
Tomato
Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of the predatory mite Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) recki Wainstein (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a biological control agent against the tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Specifically, the study sought to evaluate the mite’s predatory capacity against different developmental stages of the whitefly, and its compatibility with Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae), a commonly used natural enemy in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Furthermore, the study aimed to assess the toxicological impact of four conventional and four «green» pesticides to identify compatible chemical tools for IPM programs. Predation efficacy was evaluated by introducing female T. recki to tomato leaflets containing B. tabaci eggs or nymphs for four days. Compatibility with N. tenuis was assessed by monitoring the survival of T. recki eggs, nymphs, and adults when exposed to female N. tenuis. Finally, the toxicity of four conventional pesticides (abamectin, fenpyroximate, acequinocil, cyflumetofen) and four green pesticides (flipper, prevam, eradicoat, requiem) was tested using a standard direct exposure leaf-disc bioassay, with survival monitored over 72 hours. Typhlodromus recki demonstrated strong predatory activity against B. tabaci nymphs, though efficacy against eggs was lower. Compatibility trials showed high survival rates for T. recki eggs and nymphs (>92%) in the presence of N. tenuis, while adult survival was slightly reduced to 77%. Pesticide bioassays revealed that Abamectin (60.4% mortality) and Flipper (94.3% mortality) were the most toxic substances. In contrast, acequinocil and requiem showed minimal impact, with mortality rates comparable to control. High «missingness» ratios in certain treatments, such as cyflumetofen (88%), suggested pesticide-induced avoidance behavior. In conclusion, T. recki is a promising biocontrol agent for B. tabaci nymphs and is compatible with N. tenuis as well as with certain pesticides like acequinocil and requiem for introduction in IPM programs Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the European Union’s HORIZON-IA 101136611 -NextGenBioPest and received funding by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Greece 2.0 with the funding of the European Union – InnoPP- TAEDR-0535675.
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