Abstract
Phytoseiidae have been used successfully as bio-control agents of sucking insect pests worldwide. Neoseiulus barkeri is potential predator of whiteflies, thrips and spider mites. To minimize toxic effects and develop IPM, integration of pesticides and predators in a manner which is safer for other organisms is key factor. The present study was planned for screening out pesticides being used against sucking pests i.e., buprofezin, spirotetramate, dimethoate, hexithiazox and imidacloprid for N. barkeri to find out compatibility. Leaf dip bioassay was conducted and pesticides were tested at five serial dilutions under laboratory conditions. Maximum mortality 17.5, 45, 82.5, 35 and 17.5 percent was observed after 144 hours exposure to pesticides at field relevant dose, respectively. Repellent effects of pesticides revealed that escape from arena was highest in the start and then gradually decreased. Lowest hemolytic activity (78.56%) for imidacloprid and highest (97.76%) for dimethoate, and Staphylococcus aureus biofilm inhibition 43% for buprofezin and 23% for dimethoate was observed. LC50 of imidacloprid (26526) and buprofezin (7209) declared it safer while spirotetramate and hexithiazox were moderately harmful to N. barkeri. Dimethoate was highly hazardous for N. barkeri due to highest mortality and lowest LT50 (27.75), hence is not recommended in IPM module.