Abstract
The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is one of the most damaging polyphagous pests, affecting a wide range of agricultural crops. Its high reproductive potential, rapid development of resistance to insecticides and acaricides, and environmental adaptability make it a serious threat to crop production. In the present study, for the first time, the resistance of both laboratory and field populations of T. urticae from the Almaty region was evaluated against two widely used pesticides — abamectin and lambda-cyhalothrin. To confirm species identity, molecular identification was performed based on the amplification and sequencing of a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The obtained nucleotide sequences showed a high degree of similarity (≥99%) with reference T. urticae sequences. Pesticide toxicity was assessed using the leaf-dip method, followed by probit analysis to determine lethal concentrations. The results indicated that the laboratory population was highly susceptible to both pesticides, whereas the field population remained sensitive to abamectin but showed signs of reduced sensitivity (low to moderate resistance) to lambda-cyhalothrin. These findings highlight the need for regular monitoring of T. urticae populations for resistance, especially under conditions of intensive pesticide use. Timely adjustments in treatment protocols and the development of integrated pest management strategies — combining chemical, biological, and agronomic approaches — are essential for effective pest control and for mitigating further resistance development.
01 Introduction
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02 References
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