Selectivity and molecular stress responses to classical and botanical acaricides in the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

Selectivity of the tested botanical acaricides to P. persimilis was low but could be enhanced by restricting exposure to a single route. Differential gene expression analysis did not show a robust induced stress response after sub-lethal exposure. In contrast, this study uncovered target-site mutations that may help explain the physiological selectivity of several classical acaricides to phytoseiid predators. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.