Toxicity of pesticides to Oligota spp. (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).

Oligota spp. (0. kashimilica benefica and 0. yasumatui) are important predators of the citrus red mite Panonycus citri in citrus orchards in Japan. In this paper, the toxicity of some pesticides generally used for citrus pest control has been evaluated to this predator, to establish a selective spray program for citrus pest control. Two way tests of direct and residual toxicity for adults were carried out in the laboratory at 25±1°C. Of 30 insecticides tested, only BT, petroleum oil and buprofezin showed little or no toxicity to the beetles although these chemicals were tested at commercial concentrations. The other insecticides showed high toxcity in both direct and residual toxicity. Of 8 acaricides tested, most showed moderate to low toxicity but cyhexatin, was highly toxic. Of 6 fungicides tested, all showed little or no toxicity to the beetles.