Miticide and biopesticide efficacy against cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus) in strawberry

First identified in 1898, cyclamen mite, Phytonemus pallidus (Banks) (Trombidiformes: Tarsonemidae) is now found globally. Feeding on new growth, P. pallidus stunts strawberry plants and damages developing fruit. Because of its small size (0.25 mm), P. pallidus is often undetected until damage is found. Cyclamen mite is difficult to control once it becomes established in a strawberry field.
Currently, there is no damage threshold, and miticides are applied once P. pallidus is detected. In Canada, Agri-Mek SC (abamectin) is the only registered miticide for cyclamen mite, with two applications permitted annually. Sole reliance on abamectin could lead to the development of resistance. To help diversify management options for cyclamen mite control, efficacy of new miticides and biopesticides should be determined.
A field foliar spray experiment, greenhouse foliar spray experiment, and greenhouse transplant dip experiment were conducted to test the efficacy of a new miticide and biopesticides against P. pallidus on strawberry. The miticide Magister SC (fenazaquin) reduced cyclamen mite more effectively than abamectin in field experiments. The biopesticides Bb-Protec (Beauveria bassiana R444), Venerate XC (Burkholderia spp. A396), and Ecotrol PLUS (geraniol, rosemary, peppermint oil) reduced cyclamen mite by 60% compared to the control. Future foliar spray experiments will be conducted to determine the efficacy of crop oils and biopesticides formulated with oils, as some of these products have good efficacy on other arthropod pests. The outcomes of this project will benefit strawberry growers by providing them with additional, sustainable control options for cyclamen mite.