Efficacy of some selected synthetic chemical insecticides and bio-pesticides against cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Sternorrhyncha: Pseudococcidae) under agro ecological conditions of Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Field studies were carried out for the control of cotton mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley) during July 2015-16, at new developmental farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan in RCBD arrangements with five treatments i.e. Movento, Confidor, Actara, Tobacco and Neem extract. IR-1524 variety of cotton was grown for investigating mealybug infestation as the population of mealybug started proliferating wernapplied treatments. Results indicated that maximum mortalities was observed after 72 hours of application Memento Energy 240 Sc caused highest mortality of 92.96% followed by Confidor 200 O-Teq, Actara® 25WG, Tobacco Extract @ 2.00 % and Neem Extract @ 2.00 % 57.2%, 51.32% and 45.03% and 29.76 % respectively. Neem and Tobacco Extracts showed considerable mortalities of cotton mealybug with edge of having environment friendly, and safe for natural enemies, humans and other animals but low as compared to the synthetic insecticides which have ill effects on environment and natural enemies.