Chemical control of the tomato russet mite on tomatoes in the dry tropics of Queensland

Abstract

Seven trials were conducted from 1982 to 1985 to test the efficacy of 14 acaricides in controlling the tomato russet mite, Acu/ops lycopersici (Massee), on tomatoes in north Queensland. The most effective acaricides (dose rate in g a.i./ha) in controlling an established infestation of A.lycopersici were dicofol (500), SLJ 0312 (500), cyhexatin (200), azocyclotin (200), sulprofos (720), and monocrotophos (400, 600). Fenbutatin oxide (220) was moderately effective but demeton-S-methyl (275), dimethoate (300), DPX 3792 (300), endosulfan (735), methamidophos (1102), propargite (300), and sulphur (3000) were ineffective. Weekly or fortnightly applications of an effective acaricide were necessary to prevent a damaging infestation of A. lycopersici from developing. Three-weekly or monthly applications were not sufficient. Dicofol (500) and cyhexatin (200) were the most effective preventative treatments, and sulprofos (720) and monocrotophos (400) were also effective. Sulphur (3000) was ineffective.