EFFICACY OF ANTIMICROBIALS IN BIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE TWO-SPOTTED SPIDER MITE TETRANYCHUS URTICAE INFECTING TOMATO IN THE DESERT ENVIRONMENT

The red two-spotted tit, Tetranychus urticae, has a wide family range and the possibility of spreading in a wide range of temperatures and humidity, and it has a high ability to show resistance against many chemical pesticides. Therefore, this study aimed to use antimicrobials (Microcin, Chitosan) as environmentally friendly control agents against this pest. The results of the study showed that the Microcin had a significant effect in reducing the rate of egg hatching (the vitality of eggs) to 8%, and it led to a significant decrease in female fertility (the rate of laying eggs) by 28%, it also increased the mortality of nymphs and adults by 90% and 62%, respectively, compared to the control treatment, which resulted in 48%, 52%, 5%, and 10%, respectively. The results also showed that the use of Nano-chitosan significantly reduced the rate of hatching eggs and the rate of laying eggs, and increased the mortality rate of nymphs and adults. The two-spotted spider mite compared with the control treatment. The study showed the possibility of using natural materials such as antimicrobials (Microcin, Chitosan) as alternatives to the use of chemical pesticides in controlling stubborn pests, including T. urticae