Field efficacy of biopesticides against mango hoppers at Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2024–2025 at the Horticultural Orchard of Barrister Thakur Chhedilal College of Agriculture and Research Station, Bilaspur (IGKV, Raipur) to evaluate the field efficacy of selected biopesticides as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical insecticides against mango hoppers (Amritodus atkinsoni and Idioscopus nagpurensis). Hopper populations were assessed from tagged panicles in four directions of each tree using standard entomological techniques. Among the treatments, Imidacloprid 17.8% SL recorded the lowest mean hopper population (1.02 hoppers/panicle) and the highest percent reduction over control (91.36%). Among biopesticides, the combination of Lecanicillium lecanii + Metarhizium anisopliae (3.61 hoppers/panicle) was the most effective, followed by L. lecanii (4.55), M. anisopliae (5.80), Beauveria bassiana (6.32), and Paecilomyces lilacinus (6.80). All biopesticide treatments significantly reduced hopper populations compared to the untreated control (11.80 hoppers/panicle).The findings suggest that L. lecanii and M. anisopliae, especially in combination, are promising bioagents for the sustainable management of mango hoppers, offering an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical insecticides.