The field experiment was conducted during four years (1995-1998) in an apple orchard in Central Poland. It was found that predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri Scheut (Phytoseiidae) introduced to the orchard, provided excellent biological control of spider mites (Panonychus ulmi Koch, Tetranychus urticae Koch) on plot do not treated against pests and in first year on "integrated" plots sprayed according to different schedules with selective insecticides. Fungicide methiram (Polyram-Combi) and aphicide triazamate (Azetc) considered as selective ones in presented experiment showed high toxicity to T. pyri. Predatory mite Zetzelia mali Ewing (Stigmaeidae) naturally occuring in the orchard, exhibited high resistance to above mentioned pesticides.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the composition of beneficial insects and mites in selected orchards. In 2008 and 2009, the observations were carried out in several dozen of orchards (of apple, pear, cherry, sweet cherry, plum, peach and apricot) located in different region of Poland. Phytoseiidae, Tydeidae and Tarsonemidae mites were found in majority of examined fruit trees. The predatory mites from family Stigmaeidae occurred mainly in organic apple orchards. Beneficial mites were not found on pear trees. In samples collected with the limb jarring method, a high number of spiders, coccinelids, predatory bugs were recorded. Earwings and parasitic wasps were represented in a lower number.