Effects of fluvalinate on two-spotted spider mite dispersal, fecundity and feeding.

Abstract

Residual deposits of fluvalinate caused two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, dispersal by running off (run-off) and spinning down (spin-down) from treated leaves. Run-off occured at concentrations from 0.0005 g a.i. 1^-I and reached a peak at 0.01 g a.i. I^-I. Spin-down was more predominant at concentrations above 0.01 g a.i. 1^-1. Spin-down and run-off proportions varied with fluvalinate formulation. Oviposition was temporarily suppressed on fluvalinate-treated leaves, presumably because of an irritant effect which reduced feeding. An emulsifiable concentrate formulation caused the largest reductions in oviposition. Oviposition returned to the level exhibited by untreated mites two days after removal from treated surfaces. Oviposition and feeding were positively correlated and both declined reciprocally with increasing fluvalinate concentration.