Toxicity of six novel fungicides and sulphur to Galendromus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Bostanian, Noubar J.
Thistlewood, Howard M. A.
Hardman, John M.
Racette, Gaétan

¹Horticulture Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 430 Gouin Blvd., St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, Canada, J3B 3E6
²Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 4200 Highway, 97 South, Summerland, BC, Canada, V0H 1Z0
³Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 32 Main Street, Kentville, NS, Canada, B4N 1J5

e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Received: 15 April 2008; Accepted: 19 August 2008.

Experimental & Applied Acarology 47(1):p 63-69, January 2009.

A laboratory evaluation of fenbuconazole, myclobutanil propiconazole, boscalid, fenhexamid and pyraclostrobin revealed these fungicides to be harmless to adult Galendromus occidentalis. None of these fungicides affected adversely fecundity and egg viability. Elemental sulphur also had no effect on adults and fecundity. However, 72.4% of the young larvae perished after hatching. The six novel fungicides are safer alternatives to sulphur in perennial crops in British Columbia.