LAUSR

Red spider mite (Tetranychus macfarlanei) is an important pest that severely infests a wide range of crops. Traditionally, chemical pesticides have been employed to control this pest, but their extensive use has led to detrimental side effects against humans including environmental contamination, non-target species destruction, and the development of pesticide-resistant mite populations. This study explores the potential of botanicals, i.e., Bishkatali (Polygonum hydropiper), Telakucha (Coccinia grandis), and Bhimraj (Wedelia chinensis) as a natural and effective solution for managing T. macfarlanei. Bhimraj exhibited more toxicity (LC50 = 1.636 mL of a.i./L) than Bishkatali (LC50 = 2.417) and Telakucha (LC50 = 2.230). Tetranychus macfarlanei were treated with LC50 doses of three botanicals and life table parameters were assessed and compared with control. Although the spider mite successfully completed their development from egg to adult, it took longer time when treated with botanicals. Adult pre-oviposition and total pre-oviposition period was significantly higher in T. macfarlanei treated with botanicals than control. The oviposition period is not significantly different, but the fecundity was higher in control. The eggs per female in T. macfarlanei was significantly reduced when treated with botanicals. The botanicals affected the life table parameters of T. macfarlanei. The net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r, day-1), finite rate of increase (λ), and gross reproduction rate (GRR) were lower in T. macfarlanei when treated with botanicals than control. The mean generation time (T, day) was higher in botanicals than control. Finally, it could be concluded that botanicals have significant negative impact on the life table parameters of T. macfarlanei, which could be incorporated into Integrated Mite Management (IMM).