Integrated control of apple pests in New Zealand 8. Commercial assessment of an integrated control programme against European red mite using an insecticide-resistant predator

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Abstract
An integrated control program against Panonychus ulmi (Koch) is described which uses a phytoseiid predator, Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten, common in commercial orchards and highly resistant to azinphos-methyl. The program was tested in commercial export orchards in Nelson in the 1975-1976 and 1976-1977 seasons. By regular monitoring of the levels and ratios of T. pyri and P. ulmi the application of miticides was confined to the time when specified population thresholds were exceeded. A selective miticide, cyhexatin, was applied to improve predator:prey ratios. No other changes were made in normal commercial spray practices for pest and disease control in the orchards. No fruits were rejected from export grade because of contamination with mite eggs. Procedures for wider implementation of integrated mite control in commercial orchards are described. The role of selective miticides in the integrated control of P. ulmi is discussed.