LAUSR

Abstract Natural pesticides are potential alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides. Recently, studies on pesticide–pest interactions have combined empirical biochemical measurements and practical field experiments. In this study, we performed laboratory and field efficacy analysis and biochemical characterization of two phytochemicals (2,4-di-tertbutylphenol (DTBP) and ethyl oleate (EO)) for carmine spider mite Tetranychus cinnabarinus control. DTBP and EO controlled mites by inhibiting egg hatchability and showed significant residual toxicity in laboratory tests. The control efficacy was confirmed in eggplant and cucumber field trials in three provinces in China. Oxidative stress induced by antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and peroxidase) and detoxification metabolism (involving carboxylesterase and/or mixed-function oxidase) may be involved in the response of mites to DTBP and EO. This study demonstrates the potential of DTBP and EO as effective acaricides for the control of spider mites and provides researchers a better understanding of acaricide–mite interactions.