The selectivity of acaricides to predatory insects and mites was studied in two citrus orchards in São Paulo State in 1993 and 1994. Acaricides used (g.a.i /1001) were: in 1993, pyridaben 20 EC, 20 WP and 75 WP (10 and 15), fenbutatin oxide (40) and control; in 1994 pyridaben 20 EC and 75 WP (10 and 20), fenbutatin oxide (40), cyhexatin (25) and control. Evaluations were conducted up to 21 days after spraying. Adults and larvae of Pentilia egena Muls. and Coccidophilus citricola Bréthes, adults of Cycloneda sanguinea L., Azya sp. and Calloeneis sp. and larvae ofchrysopids were counted on the canopy of the tree. Euseius sp. and Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma were counted on 10 leaves from the canopy. The products were classified as: harmless (< 25% of mortality); slightly harmful (25 to 50%); moderately harmful (51 to 75%), and harmful (> 75%). All products were harmless to adults of P. egena; fenbutatin caused < 25% of mortality, pyridaben killed 25 to 50% and cyhexatin 51 to 75% of P. egena larvae. Pyridaben 20 EC and 75 WP were slightly and moderately harmful, cyhexatin caused >75% of mortality and fenbutatin was harmless to adults of C. citricola. Concerning C. citricola, fenbutatin killed 25 to 50% of the larvae, pyridaben 20 EC and 75 WP caused 51 to 75% mortality while cyhexatin caused > 75% mortality. All treatments killed more than 75% of the phytoseiids up to 21 days except fenbutatin oxide which was harmful up to 14 days.
Insecta; Acari; Coccinellidae; Phytoseiidae; pesticides
