Field Efficacy of Biocapsules of Entomopathogenic Fungi for the Management of Amaranthus Leaf Webber Spoladea recurvalis (Fabricius) Crambidae: Lepidoptera

There are many insecticides are being available for pest control in the market, but traditionally focused on killing insect pests using a variety of insecticides may lead to insecticide resistance in insect pests. Biological control methods are promising alternative methods to the chemical method. In the evaluation of the efficacy of biocapsules of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin, for the management of amaranthus leaf webber, Spoladea (Hymenia) recurvalis F., it was revealed that Metarhizium and Beauveria capsules @ three L-1 sprayed twice (at weekly intervals) was effective reducing the larval population of S. recurvalis (83.6 and 69.9 % respectively). Lower doses of two and one capsule L-1 were less effective (47.3 to 66.5 % reductions). Spraying spore suspensions of these fungi @ 108 mL-1 resulted in 91.2 to 100 per cent reduction, while in flubendiamide 39.35 SC, it was 89.8 per cent. Treatment with Metarhizium and Beauveria capsules did not affect the natural enemy population significantly with 2.33 to 3.67 plant-1, while the corresponding population was 1.4 in flubendiamide 39.5 SC and 3.6 in the untreated control. The yield in the plots treated with Metarhizium and Beauveria capsules @ three L-1 was higher when compared to that in the untreated plot. Therefore, Need-based production of biocontrol formulations in the form of capsules, tablets, powder, etc. should be broadcasted.