Acaricidal efficacy of aqueous extracts from different plants on Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Abstract

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836, Acari: Tetranychidae) causes significant yield losses in cultivated plants, especially depending on the season. Chemical methods are the main methods of controlling this pest. However, besides the environmental, human, and animal health problems arising from chemical control, adverse effects such as resistance and residues limit the success and sustainability of chemical control. This experiment was conducted in the applied acarology laboratory of the Directorate of Plant Protection Central Research Institute in Ankara, Türkiye, in incubators maintained at 25 ± 1 °C temperature, 50–65% humidity, and 16 L: 8 D h photoperiod. In this study, the potential acaricidal effect of aqueous extracts of Morus rubra, Daphne odora, Ficus carica, Matricaria chamomilla, and Mentha pulegium collected from Ankara and Adana provinces on T. urticae was investigated. For this purpose, the leaves of the plants were dried and ground and 1%, 3%, 6%, and 12% concentrations (w/v) of the extracts obtained were tested in three different application periods (1–6 day). Dipping and spraying methods were used to determine mortality and toxicity. The highest effect was 94.4% at the end of the 6th day at a 12% concentration of M. pulegium in the dipping method. On the other hand, the lowest mortality effect was 18.2% at the same time and concentration of M. chamomilla. In lethal toxicity studies, the highest toxicity was obtained from F. carica with an LC₅₀ value of 4756 mg L⁻¹, and the lowest toxicity was obtained from D. odora with an LC₅₀ value of 12,417 mg L⁻¹. We believe that plant extracts provide a valid alternative in effectively controlling two-spotted spider mites, reducing the need for pesticide use and minimizing residues.