Determination of the effects of two insecticides -acaricides on predatöry mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

In this thesis, it was investigated acute and long-term effects of two insecticides-acaricides, spiromesifen + abamectin (S + A) and terpenoid blend QRD 460 (TBQ), onthe predator mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot. In acute effect studies, field application dose (T) of S+A and TBQ was applied to larvae and adults by two different methods (direct application and dry residue). Direct application method was used to examine the long-term effects of S + A and TBQ of A. swirskii. The acute effects and long-term effects of the acaricides were determined by the spray tower-leaf disc method. The direct application method was used to examine the long-term effects of acaricides on A. swirskii. T doses of S + A and TBQ were applied to A. swirskii'in dividuals aged 0-24 hours on leaf discs and approximately 30 minutes later, individuals were transferred individually to any not application leaf discs. Typha latifolia pollen was given for feeding the individuals. After the application, individuals are checked everyday until they die, and the lifespan, daily fecundity, preoviposition, oviposition and postoviposition period, net reproduction rate (Ro), intrinsic rate of increase (rm ), theoretical population-doubling time (T2 ), meangeneration time (To ), finite rate of increase (λ), gross reproduction rate (GRR) parameters were determined separately. Both drugs used in acute effect applications were found to be harmless to A. swirskii according to IOBC class values. When the effects of acaricides on the lifespan were examined, the lifespan of A. swirskii females treated with control (pure water), S+A and TBQ were 26.18, 22.64, 23.73 days, respectively and 29.28, 20.50 and 25.47 days for males respectively. Oviposition period were determined as 19.59, 18.31 and 17.89 days for control, TBQ and S + A respectively. The mean numberof eggs were 31.72, 26.61 and 26.00 eggs/female inindividuals treated with control, S+A and TBQ respectively. The values of R0 and rm which are the two most important parameters of the life table, were found as 31.72 females/female/egg and 0.200 females/female/day, respectively, for the control group.