The use of image analysis to study the effects of residues of esfenvalerate on the locomotory behaviour of Panonychus ulmi and Typhlodromus pyri (Acari : Tetranychidae, Phytoseiidae)

The influences of esfenvalerate on mite behaviour were investigated by imag e analysis. Video recordings of the locomotory behaviour of two mite specie s were converted into a series of x,y coordinates that, when joined, closel y resembled their paths. These coordinates were used to calculate walking s peed, direction of travel, turning frequency, turn bias and tortuosity. Two experimental arenas were used: (1) a leaf disc arena for the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi and (2) a glass coverslip arena for Typhlodromus pyri . The behavioural responses of P. ulmi and T. pyri to esfenvalerate (field rate) indicated that these mites did not show a preference for the unspraye d halves of the arenas during the first 48 min. However, significant differ ences between most of the behavioural parameters to esfenvalerate residues were found with P. ulmi when whole arenas were compared. Exp Appl Acarol 23 : 1-9 (C) 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers.