Investigations on use of nano solution ozone formulation for control of the dried fruit mite, Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) (Acari: Carpoglyphidae)

When the dried fruit mite, Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) (Astigmata: Carpoglyphidae), feeds on the fruit sugar of the dried apricot, the mite causes unwanted flavors and odors, ultimately deteriorating the product. Previous studies showed that ozone gas could be used against the mite on dried fruits due to its toxic fumigant feature. However, ozone gas shows short residual activity and quickly degraded to O2 and O-. This feature of the gas occurred some disadvantages in the control of the mite. In this study, the biological effect of a new nano-solution ozone formulation, namely Genoxyn nanotech, to packaged dried apricot infested with C. lactis was studied. In tests, the lethal effects [lethal concentrations (LC), lethal times (LT)], persistence, repellence, and oviposition deterrent activities of the formulation were determined. The current study showed that 0,27% concentration of the formulation caused were a death rate of 90% in females within 48 h. Based on probit analysis, LT90 values were estimated 121, 82 and 66 h when Genoxyn nanotech was applied against C. lactis females with concentrations of 0,1, 0,2 and 0,4%, respectively. In persistence tests, there is no significant decreasing in the lethal effects of the formulation within seven days. But, 10 days after the treatment, a death rate of the females was decline with rates varied from 12 to 17%. According to Pearson's chi-squared test, C. lactis females demonstrated a strong aversion to dried apricots sprayed with sublethal concentration (0,1%). Thus, this study showed that determined concentrations of Genoxyn nanotech have toxic and repellent activities on C. lactis females. With persistence activity of the formulation more than 10 days, it could be used with residual methods for control of C. lactis on dried apricots.