Use of predatory mite, Neoseiulus californicus and terpenoid blend QRD-460 for spidermite control in apple orchards

There are many diseases and pests that cause yield and quality losses in apple cultivation. Red spider mites and codling moths are the main ones among the pests that causes economic losses in apple cultivation. In this study, the efficacy of single and combined usage of Terpenoid Blend QRD-460 (TBQ) and the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (NC) (McGregor) in the control of spider mites in apple orchards were determined. For this purpose, two different experiments were established in two different apple orchards in Şarkikaraağaç district in Isparta Province. The trials were established according to the randomized plots design, with 4 characters and 3 replications as untreated, TBQ, 50 NC/tree and TBQ+50 NC applications. In the trial in Çavundur village, untreated, TBQ, 50 NC/tree and TBQ + 50 NC/tree plots have had average of 8.22, 0.76 and 0.84 red spider mite eggs/leaf and 9.24, 2.09 and 1.07 ms (moving stages: larvae+nimf and adult)/leaf, respectively. In the trial in Alciklar district, untreated, TBQ, 50 NC/tree and TBQ + 50 NC/tree plots have had average of 3.38, 0.49 and 0.71 red spider mite eggs/leaf and 4.62, 0.71 and 0.93 moving stages (hd)/leaf, respectively. As a result, red spider mite populations were suppressed at different times compared to the untreated plots in all treatments (P<0.05).