Field evaluation of new insecticides against budworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in flue cured Virginia tobacco

Abstract

Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) is one of the major pests of Virginia tobacco in India. As bud worm, it infests the crop during the grand growth stage and cause considerable yield loss. The studies were conducted with an objective to identify new molecules in place of the obsolete and ineffective insecticides for management of budworm. Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 0.055%, cyantraniliprole 10 OD @ 0.018%, spinosad 480 SC @ 0.018%, flubendiamide 480 SC @ 0.012% and novaluron 10 EC @ 0.01% were evaluated for their field efficacy against bud worm, H. armigera on flue cured Virginia tobacco during 2015-17 seasons. The results indicated that among the various insecticides, spinosad, chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide were most effective as they recorded lowest leaf damage and highest cured leaf yield. Studies on persistency of the new molecules on tobacco showed that the persistent toxicity of spinosad, chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide was higher than that of cyantraniliprole and novaluron. Cyantraniliprole and novaluron were relatively less effective compared to others.