TETRANYCHIDAE) ON AVOCADOS

Sixspotted mite, Eotetranychus sexmaculatus (Riley) (Acari: Tetranychidae) has been causing severe damage to avocado trees in New Zealand in recent years. The majority of the damage has occurred in Northland, in the Whangarei and the Far North growing regions. High populations of sixspotted mite can cause severe defoliation of trees from spring until mid-summer and occasionally in autumn. Control options for sixspotted mites compatible with the Avogreen ® system are required urgently. This report details a spray trial using single tree plots to evaluate new or potential miticides to control sixspotted mites in avocados. The results of this trial indicate that Mit`e mec ® with and without Excel ™ Oil®, Avid ® and Excel ™ Oil® and possibly Acramite have the potential to reduce infestations of sixspotted mites on avocados. These products also have the potential to become part of an integrated pesticide resistance management programme in the medium term, before more desirable non-chemical methods for controlling sixspotted mites are found