Toxicity of Acephate to Phytoseiulus persimilis1 and Tetranychus urticae12

Abstract
Toxicity of acephate to both Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, a mite predator, and Tetranychus urticae Koch, was measured in a series of experiments. Acephate was more toxic to P. persimilis than T. urticae , regardless of application method, and significant toxicity occurred via food-chain effects. Acephate applications as soil drenches of 75, 150, and 300 ppm were more toxic by this route than foliar sprays, in some cases killing nearly all P. persimilis feeding on T. urticae 21 days after application. Acephate's usefulness in an IPM program involving P. persimilis will be limited by this toxicity, especially if applied to the soil.

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