The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens), green leafhopper (Nephotettix virescens), and yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas) are among the most destructive insect pests of rice in Indonesia. This study evaluated the field performance of four biorational insecticides (abamectin, azadirachtin, Beauveria bassiana, and Metarhizium anisopliae) and two synthetic insecticides (carbofuran and demihipo) in a rice field in Belawa, Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot randomized complete block design. All biorational insecticides significantly reduced pest populations compared with the untreated control. Abamectin provided the greatest suppression of N. lugens (84.1%), whereas abamectin, carbofuran, and demihipo were the most effective treatments against N. virescens, reducing populations by 71.8%, 69.2%, and 82.4%, respectively. Against S. incertulas, azadirachtin and abamectin achieved the highest reduction in dead-heart incidence (91.9% and 85.7%, respectively). Predator populations, particularly Coccinella spp., were largely conserved in plots treated with azadirachtin, B. bassiana, and M. anisopliae, indicating good compatibility with beneficial arthropods. Weekly applications provided pest suppression comparable to twice-weekly applications, suggesting that insecticide inputs can be reduced without compromising efficacy. Overall, the findings demonstrate that biorational insecticides can be effectively integrated into rice IPM programs to suppress major pests, conserve beneficial arthropods, and reduce reliance on conventional synthetic insecticides, thereby supporting more sustainable rice production.
The present study was conducted to evaluate the bioefficacy of botanical and chemical insecticides against brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal), in paddy. The experiment was conducted using the following treatments Azadirachtin 5 % (60, 70 and 80 mL), BrahamAstra (7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 L), homemade neem (2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 L), Oshean 20 SG (80 g) and an untreated control. Two sprays were applied, the first at the initial appearance of the pest and the second at the economic threshold level (ETL). Oshean 20 SG (80 g) recorded the lowest brown planthopper population and the maximum percentage reduction over the control after both sprays. Among different treatments, Azadirachtin (5 %) at 80 mL dose recorded lowest brown planthopper population. All botanical insecticides were safe for the spider population. Grain yield was recorded higher in Oshean 20 SG treatment followed by the botanical insecticides. Azadirachtin 80 mL proved to be the most effective and environment friendly alternative for brown planthopper management in paddy.
Afield experiment was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of some newer insecticide molecules against major sucking pests on black gram and their impact on associated natural enemies and incremental benefit. Out of twelve treatments tested, ten were from novel groups including spinetoram, flonicamid, diafenthiuron, pyriproxyfen, spiromesifen, dinotefuran, clothianidin, cyantraniliprole, fipronil and pymetrozine. Whitefly, leaf hopper, aphid and flower thrips were recorded as major sucking pests. Diafenthiuron emerged as the most effective insecticide against whitefly (97.7% reduction), leaf hopper (91.2%) and aphid (96.2%) and yielded the highest (1208.33 kg ha-1). Fipronil significantly controlled flower thrips (86.2%) as compared to other treatments. All the tested treatments did not show any detrimental impact on associated natural enemies. Clothianidin treated plots resulted in highest incremental cost benefit ratio (1:25.8) followed by flonicamid (1:18.7), dinotefuran (1:16.7) and diafenthiuron (1:15.6), highlighting their economic feasibility in integrated management program.
The study evaluated the effectiveness of six insecticide products chlorpyrifos 50% + cypermethrin 5%, profenofos 40% + cypermethrin 4%, deltamethrin 2.5%, imidacloprid 20% and malathion 67% along with an untreated control, on the abundance and infestation of Aulacophora foveicollis (Lucas) and epilachna beetle (Epilachna dodecastigma (Wiedemann), E. vigintioctopunctata (Fabricius)), as well as on honeybee (Apis sp.) pollinator abundance and crop yield. The findings showed that the applied insecticides significantly reduced pest abundance and infestation levels, resulting in higher yield of sweet gourd. Among the tested insecticides, chlorpyrifos + cypermethrin resulted in the lowest abundance of red pumpkin beetle (0.50 beetle vine-1) and epilachna beetle (0.22 beetle vine-1), as well as the lowest levels of leaf and flower infestation (17.0 and 8.9%, respectively). Chlorpyrifos + cypermethrin reduced the abundance of red pumpkin beetle and epilachna beetle by 90.6 and 91.1%, respectively, and decreased leaf and flower infestation by 61.6 and 70.9%, respectively. Abundance of honeybee was highest in the untreated control (3.7) followed by malathion (3.3) and cypermethrin (2.8). The highest yield (22.0 tons ha-1) of sweet gourd was recorded in the plots treated with chlorpyrifos + cypermethrin, which produced 158.8% higher yield compared to the untreated control, indicating its superior effectiveness in reducing pest infestation and enhancing crop productivity.
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a major insect pest of maize that causes substantial crop damage through larval feeding on leaves and whorls. The present field study was conducted at Mallikudurla Village, Velair Mandal, Hanumakonda District, Telangana State, India, to evaluate and compare the field efficacy of selected botanical biopesticides against Spodoptera frugiperda in maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was conducted in a Randomised Block Design with six treatments and four replications. Five botanical treatments comprising neem (Azadirachta indica) extract, Pongamia pinnata seed extract, garlic (Allium sativum) extract, chilli (Capsicum spp.) extract, and a combined botanical formulation were compared with an untreated control. The treatments were evaluated based on fall armyworm larval population, leaf and whorl damage, maize growth, yield attributes, and grain yield. All botanical treatments reduced larval population and crop damage compared with the untreated control. Among the evaluated treatments, the combined botanical formulation showed the highest overall performance, recording the lowest larval population and crop damage and the highest grain yield. Reduced fall armyworm infestation and damage were associated with improved maize growth, yield attributes, and grain yield. The combined botanical treatment recorded the highest grain yield, whereas the untreated control recorded the lowest yield. The results indicate that selected botanical biopesticides have the potential to reduce fall armyworm infestation and crop damage in maize under field conditions. Their incorporation into integrated pest management programmes may help reduce dependence on synthetic insecticides and support sustainable maize production. Further field evaluation is recommended to optimise botanical formulations, application rates, timing, persistence, and cost-effectiveness under different agroecological conditions.
Cutworms Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel, 1766) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are destructive pests of cabbage Brassica oleracea L. (Brassicaceae) and other cruciferous crops, causing severe yield losses by feeding on seedlings and young plants. Excessive use of synthetic pesticides has contributed to resistance development, environmental contamination, and health risks. In response, botanical insecticides have therefore gained increasing attention as sustainable pest control alternatives. This study evaluated the insecticidal efficacy of neem Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae) and physic nut Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) seed oils against cutworm larvae collected from cabbage farms in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. Seed oils were extracted using Soxhlet extraction with n-hexane and evaluated using a leaf disc ingestion bioassay at concentrations of 15 %, 30 %, and 60 %. A synthetic insecticide (Moran® 30) and distilled water served as positive and negative controls respectively. Mortality was monitored for 72 h. Neem seed oil produced the highest mortality at 60 % concentration, achieving complete larval mortality within 24–48 h. Physic nut oil also exhibited notable insecticidal activity, but slightly lower efficacy when compared with neem oil. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences among treatments when comparing the botanical insecticides with the positive and negative control (P < 0.05). The study demonstrates that botanical oils can serve as effective alternatives to synthetic insecticides for cutworm management in cabbage production systems.
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