Susceptibility of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) to essential oil mixtures

Abstract

The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae is an important pestin many cultures of economic relevance. The search for methods to control this plague like the use of essential oils can reduce the application of synthetic acaricides. Therefore the aim of this work was to evaluate the lethal, sublethal and synergetic effects of essential oils Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), Mentha piperita (pepper mint) Syzygium aromaticum (clove) and Citrus limonum (sicilian lemon) on adult females of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). The results show that essential oils and oil mixtures present toxicity on mites. Essential lemongrass oil mixture with Clove oil showed synergetic effectwithLC50 and LC90 of 0.91% (v v-1) and 2.85% (v v-1), respectively. The binary mixtures of pepper mint essential oils with lemongrass, and pepper mint with Clove presented about 60 to 64% of toxicity effect. Mixtures of essential oils have had significant results for future use in the production of a toxic agent.