New Acaricide for Citrus Mites

ChlorobenziIate--ethyl p, p’dichlorobenzilate-offers certain advantages in citrus pest control: it has a very low toxicity to warm-blooded animals which places it in the same category as Ovotran and Aramite; its application does not seriously affect insect parasites and predators or bees. Chlorobenzilate has a low order of toxicity to insects, therefore applications do not control populations of injurious insects, but may adversely affect populations of predaceous mites. The formulations of chlorobenzilate currently available for use on citrus are wettable powders containing 25% of the technical compound, and emulsifiable concentrates containing two pounds technical material per gallon. In experimental applications during the past three years, chlorobenzilate has generally resulted in more effective control of citrus bud mite, Aceria sheldoni (Ewing) , than conventional petroleum oil sprays. It has shown promise as summer treatments for control of citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashm.) , and the citrus flat mite, Brevipalpus lewisi (McG.) . Although practical dosages will effectively reduce adult populations of citrus red mite, Metutetranychus citri (McG.), higher dosages are required to approach the effectiveness of several other acaricides currently used to control this mite on citrus in California.