Relative toxicity of ready-mix insecticides against predatory Coccinellid, Cheilomenes sexmaculata

Abstract

This experiment was conducted at the Department of Agricultural Entomology, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand to investigate relative toxicity of some ready-mix insecticides dipping method, topical application and dry film method to different stages of C. sexmaculata in laboratory revealed that emamectin benzoate 1.50% + fipronil 3.50% caused the lowest egg mortality (18.98%), proved to be the safest, while chlorpyrifos 50% + cypermethrin 5% and thiamethoxam 12.60% + lambda-cyhalothrin 9.50% showed over 50% mortality, indicating higher toxicity. In larval toxicity, emamectin benzoate 1.50% + fipronil 3.50% and acephate 45% + cypermethrin 5% were less toxic, while chlorpyrifos 50% + cypermethrin 5% was the most toxic. A similar trend was observed in both pupa and adult toxicity tests, with emamectin benzoate 1.50% + fipronil 3.50% proving to be the safest.