Management of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae say (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

Twospotted spider mite (TSM), Tetranychus urticae Say, is an important pest of various vegetable crops. It can cause serious economic yield loss in the instance of high population abundance. Bifenzate alone at 1.12 kg.ha(-1) provided significant reduction of TSM on eggplants (Solanum melogena L.). Addition of polysiloxane polyether copolymer, polyether (Silwet L-77 (R)), or polysiloxane polyether copolymer, polyether + salts of propionic, hydrosycarboxylic, polyacrylic acids, phosphate ester and ammonium sulfate (Choice (R)) did not increase the performance of bifenzate in controlling TSM in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and cucumber (Cucumeris sativus L.). Spiromesifen significantly reduced TSM populations in cucumber. The performance of abamectin in controlling TSM was superior to bifenzate and spiromesifen. These studies have great bearing in developing a sound management program against TSM. Based on this information, by using abamectin, bifenzate and spiromesifen in rotation, growers will be able to avoid sole reliance on any specific miticide.