CONTROL DE Brevipalpus chilensis BAKER (ACARI: TENUIPALPIDAE) CON DETERGENTES AGRÍCOLAS EN CONDICIONES DE LABORATORIO Y DE CAMPO

Abstract

The use of agricultural detergents has had an increasing interest in arthropod control worldwide. Brevipalpus chilensis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is a serious pest in Chilean vineyards that needs more control alternatives. Two detergents against this mite species, SU 120 and TecsaFruta, both used at 0.1, 0.5, and 1.5% v/v, were evaluated under laboratory and field conditions. In the laboratory, mite control (dislodgement + mortality) was directly proportional to the concentration. Dislodgement represented about 20% of control in the more efficient treatments (higher detergent concentration), but it was much reduced at lower concentrations. Only SU 120 at 1.5 and 0.5% concentrations was not statistically different to the standard (acrinathrin). TecsaFruta had a lower performance with almost one tenth (1.8%, xylene sulphonate and nonilphenol) of the tensioactives reported for SU 120 (16.5%, sulphonates and laurietersulphonates). Mite control (= remaining population after spraying) in the field was directly related to detergent concentration, particularly in SU 120. This has a significant effect on mobile stages (? 3/leaf in some dates post sprays, against 30/leaf in check treatment at the same date), particularly during summer spraying, but eggs were less affected. SU 120 at the highest concentration was as efficient as acrinathrin in keeping the population below the economic injury level. Reiterative detergent sprays are proposed for recurrent pests such as B. chilensis.