Field evaluation of botanical extracts against lily caterpillar (Polytela gloriosae Fabricius) infesting spider lily

Abstract

Lily caterpillar, Polytela gloriosae is a major and regular occurring pest of all lily growing areas and it cause severe losses to yield. Field evaluation of botanical extracts and loss assessment of lily caterpillar were carried out at Navsari, Gujarat. The results revealed that lowest population of lily caterpillar (1.44 larvae per plant) with lowest per cent bud damage (24.95 per cent flower bud damage per plant) was recorded in the treatment of Azadirachta indica leaves extract 10 per cent. Mean loss in flower bud yield by lily caterpillar in spider lily could be avoided by using neem to the tune of 48.90 per cent and highest flower bud yield (29.63 lakhs flower buds/ha/year) was obtained from the plots treated with Neem leaves extract 10 per cent.