Integrated control possibilities for two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae) on greenhouse cucumber

Trials were carried out on integrated control of two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae) on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under greenhouse conditions in two different time periods during 2006 and 2007 in Ankara-Turkey. In these trials three pesticides (hexythiazox: a selective acaricide; bifenthrin: a pyrethroid insecticide-acaricide; and dimethoate: an organophosphate insecticide-acaricide) were used at one-third of the recommended field concentration and combined with the release of the predatory mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). Pesticides combined with predatory mites were more effective in controlling TSSM than pesticides or predatory mites alone. Residues of bifenthrin were very toxic to P. persimilis but less harmful to A. californicus. When TSSM were treated with bifenthrin and P. persimilis, populations remained at a low level. These results indicate that TSSM can be successfully managed on greenhouse cucumbers by a combination of biological and chemical control.