Efficacy of Plinazolin and Selected Conventional Insecticides for Control of Pepper Weevil ( Anthonomus eugenii ) Adults: A Laboratory Bioassay

Unravelling the efficacy and reproductive potential of newly discovered entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema indicum and Steinernema shori against Spodoptera frugiperda in maize

The present study highlights the potential of S. shori as a biological control agent against the larval and pupal stages of S. frugiperda and evaluates its efficacy against other economically important insect pests and under diverse environmental conditions to support its wider field application.

Effects of Mesosphaerum suaveolens leaves oil Emulsifiable Concentrate and Lamda-cyhalothrin on arthropods associated with Cucumis melo in Wukari, Nigeria

Integration of Selective Insecticides with Metarhizium anisopliae for Sustainable Management of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in Maize

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a destructive invasive pest that poses a serious threat to maize production, necessitating the development of sustainable management strategies. The present study evaluated the efficacy of integrating selective insecticides with Metarhizium anisopliae for the management of fall armyworm under field conditions. Field experiments were conducted at two locations in South Gujarat, India, during the Rabi 2025–26 season using novaluron 5.25 + emamectin benzoate 0.9 SC and thiamethoxam 12.60 + lambda-cyhalothrin 9.50 SC applied alone and in combination with M. anisopliae, along with M. anisopliae alone and an untreated control. Repeated-measures mixed-effects analysis revealed significant treatment effects on plant infestation, leaf damage, cob infestation and cob yield. Among the evaluated treatments, novaluron 5.25 + emamectin benzoate 0.9 SC integrated with M. anisopliae recorded the lowest plant infestation (32.92%), leaf damage score (2.70) and cob infestation (11.01%), and produced the highest cob yield (13.21 t ha⁻¹), representing a 40.53% increase over the untreated control. Although statistically comparable with novaluron 5.25 + emamectin benzoate 0.9 SC applied alone for most parameters, the integrated treatment consistently showed numerically superior performance. In contrast, M. anisopliae applied alone provided only moderate suppression of fall armyworm and lower yield protection than insecticide-based treatments. These findings demonstrate that integrating M. anisopliae with selective insecticides improves fall armyworm management and maize productivity, highlighting its potential as an effective component of integrated pest management (IPM) for sustainable maize production.

Assessment of Insecticidal Compatibility of Metarhizium anisopliae Isolates against Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella L.)

Findings indicate that compatible combinations of M. anisopliae with selective insecticides demonstrated strong potential for the environmentally sound management of P. xylostella as part of an integrated pest management programme.

Compatibility and Laboratory Bioefficacy of Beauveria bassiana Isolates Combined with Selected Insecticides against Plutella xylostella L.

Evaluated B. bassiana–insecticide combinations showed measurable compatibility and high bioefficacy against P. xylostella larvae and significant differences were observed among fungal isolates, insecticides, and their interactions for all compatibility parameters.

Biocontrol Potential of Co-Applying Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Metarhizium brunneum Against Adult Otiorhynchus sulcatus

The black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a significant pest causing damage to horticultural crops. Restrictions on the use of synthetic chemical insecticides, due to factors such as resistance and harm to humans and the environment, are increasing the need for sustainable alternatives in integrated pest management. This study evaluated the effectiveness of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema feltiae) and the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Metarhizium brunneum, both individually and in combination, against adult O. sulcatus weevils. Laboratory bioassays were conducted using 12-well plates containing sterile sand. The applications included single and combined doses of EPNs (200, 400, and 800 infective juveniles/insect) and EPFs (low: 1×108, high: 1×109 conidia/L equivalent). Mortality rates were assessed daily for 7 days. Single-agent applications showed a dose-dependent response, with EPNs causing faster mortality compared to the delayed pathogenesis of M. brunneum. However, the simultaneous application of EPNs and EPF significantly increased the mortality rate and resulted in higher overall mortality rates. Chi-square (χ2) analysis revealed strong synergistic interactions, particularly when H. bacteriophora was paired with a low fungal dose and S. feltiae with a high fungal dose. In these synergistic pairings, the cumulative mortality rate reached 100% within 4 to 6 days. The findings demonstrate that integrating these biological control agents offers a highly effective and synergistic strategy for O. sulcatus management, providing a rapid immediate effect and potentially long-term sustained protection while allowing for reduced application doses.