Bulletin of the National Research Centre (Jan 2021)

Impact of indoxacarb and sulphur formulation on aphid and three specific predators in Okra fields

  • M. A. Gesraha,
  • Amany R. Ebeid

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-020-00464-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 45, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Background For the sake of environmental safety, many new insecticide generations developed. Sulphur formulations and other botanicals or formulated synthetic insecticides were recommended in many integrated pest management programs to protect, particularly, edible vegetables and fruit trees from insect and mite pests as well as plant pathogenic diseases. Such formulations, at the recommended application rates, proved to be safer for mammals. Regarding their safety to beneficial arthropods, diversified results were reported. This study was designed to investigate and evaluate the impact of indoxacarb and sulphur formulation against some natural enemies naturally prevailing in some vegetable crops. Results Application of indoxacarb and sulphur formulation in Okra fields to control aphid was carried out. The adverse effects of these applications against some important predators were investigated. The obtained results revealed that indoxacarb was more effective than sulphur application in all treatments. At the end of the experiment, the percentages of population reductions of Coccinella indoxacarb treatment reached ≈ 92 and 76% for larvae and adults, respectively. The corresponding figures for Chrysoperla were ≈ 79 and 82% for larvae and adults, respectively. Indoxacarb-induced reduction in the Paederus population reached about 80%, while sulphur formulation had negative effects. Both indoxacarb and sulphur formulations were harmful to the aphid, inducing about 97 and 26% reduction, respectively, for the mean number of aphid populations. Conclusion It could be concluded that indoxacarb is more hazardous towards different natural enemies prevailing naturally in open fields at anywhere season round the year, and care must be in consideration when we choose and select some insecticides to kill or to eradicate pests and simultaneously conserve the natural enemies.

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