How can a tick control preparation be prepared from spider mites for cucumbers? - briefly
Collect spider mites, crush them in water with a small amount of biodegradable surfactant, strain the mixture, and spray the filtrate onto cucumber leaves to suppress ticks. Use the solution within 24 hours for maximum efficacy.
How can a tick control preparation be prepared from spider mites for cucumbers? - in detail
Spider mite‑derived acaricides can be produced for cucumber crops through a series of controlled steps that convert the pest into a biopesticide targeting ticks.
First, collect a sufficient number of spider mites from infested cucumber plants. Use a fine brush or aspirator to transfer mites into clean, ventilated containers. Keep the insects at 20‑25 °C and 70 % relative humidity for 24 h to reduce plant debris.
Second, kill the mites rapidly to preserve active compounds. Place the containers in a freezer at –20 °C for 30 min, then transfer the frozen material to a stainless‑steel grinder. Homogenize the mites with a small volume of cold distilled water (1 mL per gram of mites).
Third, extract the acaricidal substances. Add an equal volume of ethanol (or a 70 % ethanol‑water mixture) to the homogenate, stir for 15 min, and filter through a 0.45 µm membrane. Evaporate the solvent under reduced pressure at ≤40 °C to obtain a concentrated extract.
Fourth, formulate the concentrate into a usable preparation. Dissolve the dried extract in a carrier oil such as neem or soybean oil at a ratio of 1 g extract per 100 mL carrier. Add a non‑ionic surfactant (e.g., Tween 80) at 0.5 % v/v to improve leaf coverage. Adjust the pH to 6.5‑7.0 with citric acid or sodium hydroxide.
Fifth, perform quality checks. Verify the concentration of key metabolites (e.g., arachidonic acid derivatives) by HPLC. Test the formulation against a laboratory strain of ticks (Ixodes ricinus) to confirm mortality rates above 80 % at a dose of 100 µg cm⁻².
Sixth, apply the product in the field. Spray the formulation on cucumber foliage at the vegetative stage, using 2 L ha⁻¹. Repeat applications every 7 days during the tick activity period. Avoid spraying during rain or high wind to ensure adherence.
Finally, observe safety protocols. Record any phytotoxic reactions on cucumber leaves; discontinue use if lesions appear. Store the preparation in amber bottles at 4 °C, protected from light. Dispose of unused material according to local hazardous waste regulations.