The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), is a significant pest in numerous food and fibre crops and ornamental plants, and is considered to be a key pest in regions with temperate climates.
This mite is also considered the most polyphagous within the Tetranychidae family (Van de Vrie, 1985). Due to its elevated reproduction rate and short life cycle, this mite can reach economic thresholds quickly.
The rapid increase in population densities in turn leads to the use of acaricides, which negatively affect the abundance of natural enemies. In addition, the rapid development of resistance to common chemical pesticides continues to make the control of this pest a true challenge.
Thus, two key aspects, which must be kept in mind in Integrated Pest management (IPM) strategies against T. urticae are the protection of natural enemies and the use of selective acaricides with diverse modes of action.
One basic feature of IPM is the use of biological control agents compatible with chemical pesticides, which is not only effective but also engenders fewer toxicological problems and protects the environment.
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