Managing acaricide resistance in tomato greenhouses

摘要

Horticultural crops in Canada, although grown on a smaller acreage than field crops, are of increasing importance to the agricultural economy. Greenhouse tomato production in Ontario contributes over $354 million annually, but insect and spider mite pests reduce the yield of the tomato crop and are the target of many management programs.Chemical pesticides have been the mainstay of pest management practices, but public perception and environmental concerns have led to restrictions and demands for safer products. One of the most problematic pests, the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) Tetranychus urticae (Fig.l) is an economically important pest that feeds on more than 150 crops worldwide, including greenhouse tomato. TSSM is also at the top of the list of global pests that are resistant to pesticides, specifically acaricides, the chemical products developed to control spider mites. TSSM have known resistance to over 95 active ingredients.