Efficacy of Some Bio-rational Pesticides against Leucinodes orbonalis

Brinjal or eggplant, one of the most popular vegetables in the South Asia, is prone to attack of a notorious insect pest named brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). This pest is considered to be the main limiting factor in quantitative as well as the qualitative harvest of brinjal fruits. Farmers' sole dependence on conventional pesticides for controlling BSFB often leads to considerable toxic residues on brinjal fruits, greater cost of production, and increased environmental hazards. In this book, we evaluated the direct toxicity and growth inhibitory effects of an insect growth regulator, buprofezin against the larvae of BSFB under laboratory conditions. We also conducted extensive field trials to determine the efficacy of buprofezin and three bacterial fermented pesticides namely spinosad, abamectin, and emamectin benzoate in reducing BSFB infestation. The findings of the present research work would be helpful for farmers, extension personnel, and plant protection researchers in designing effective integrated pest management program for controlling BSFB.