Selective toxicity of some pesticides to Hibana velox (Araneae: Anyphaenidae), a predator of citrus leafminer

The toxicity of fourteen different pesticides used in 'Tahiti' lime, Citrus aurantifolia (Christman) Swingle, to the spider, Hibana velox (Becker) was tested under laboratory conditions. Among the nine pesticides tested using a coated glass vial method, the five broad-spectrum insecticides (azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, ethion, carbaryl, dicofol) were all highly toxic to H, velox, causing 100% mortality even at the lowest concentration. Avermectin and Provado(R) (a.i., imidacloprid) applied as sprays had moderate toxicity; whereas, Admire(R) (a.i., imidacloprid) applied as a drench and Tri-Basic(R) (copper fungicide) caused the lowest percent mortality (10-30%) even at the highest concentration. With a leaf-dip method, petroleum oil exhibited a low toxicity to H. velox. However, when combining petroleum oil with avermectin, a synergistic effect elevated the toxicity to moderate. Azadirachtin, Bacillus thuringiensis, and diflubenzuron showed low impact on H. velox. Less than 20% mortality was recorded at the highest concentrations for all of these products.