Comparative Responses of Five Species of Spider Mites to Four Acaricides1

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Abstract
Sulphur, Aramite, parathion and Phostex were tested for toxicity to various stages of five species of spider mites: Tetranychus tumidus Banks, T. gloveri Banks, T. desertorum Banks, T. cinnabarinus Boisduval and T. lobosus Boudreaux. Mites used were from non-resistant stocks. Parathion was the most toxic compound for all stages, sulphur the least. Aramite and Phostex were approximately equal in toxicity. The most susceptible species was T. desertorum; the least was T. tumidus. The three other species were approximately equal in susceptibility. Based upon acaricidal responses of the various stages, T. tumidus and T. gloveri were very similar, while T. lobosus and T. cinnabarinus formed another group, with T. desertorum falling in an isolated position. This agrees with the taxonomy of the species based upon morphology. Parathion and Phostex were similar in the responses of adults compared with nymphs. Sulphur and Aramite were different from each other and from the other two compounds in the responses of adults compared with nymphs. Eggs were always the most resistant stage. In evaluating acaricides, all stages of the life cycle must be taken into consideration.