Compared to traditional insecticides, insect growth regulators (IGRS) are potent against cotton leafworm in sugar beet fields while conserving insect predators

Abstract

In Egypt, sugar beet, Beta Vulgaris L. is a strategical crop, occuping the first rank as a source of sugar since 2014 until now.Spodoptera littoralis littoralis Boisd. is threating to threating the early sugar beet plantations, consequently reduces the yield Frequent applications of classical insecticides lead to several troubles, environmental pollution, elimination of natural enemies and incidence of insect resistance Thus, this work was undertaken for comparing the efficacy of one compound (Cimax 5% EC), of IGRs and two compound of conventional insecticides (Fanty 21% SC and Pleo 5% EC) in lowering S. littoralis larvae populations In addition, side effects of the three compounds on two natural enemies Chrysoperla carnea and formicid species during 2021/ 2022 and 2022 /2023 seasons.Statistical analysis revealed insignificant differences among the three insecticides in reducing the larval populations through the two seasons.Averages of reduction were 88.59, 88.10 and 87.59% respectively in 2021\2022 season, and 87.78, 88.41 and 87.79%, respectively in 2022\2023 season.On the other hand, highly significant differences were found among these insecticides in regulating C. carnea and formicid species.Cimax was less destructive to these predators comparing with conventional insecticides throughout the two seasons.Basically, IGRS should be applied for suppressing these damaging insects in Egyptian sugar beet fields.