Control of helopeltis antonii signoret infesting cashew using dusting powder formulations of some common insecticides

Abstract

The relative efficiency of the dusting powder formulations of phosalone (Zolone 4% ), BHC (BHC 10°^ ). mercaptothion (Cythio.T 10%), quinalphos (Ekalux 4% } and carbaryl {Sevin 10% ) against Helopeltis antonii S. (Heteroptera: Miridae) was evaluated in a field experiment conducted in the Cashew Research Station, Madakkathara, during October—February in 1978-79, 80-81 and 81-82. Three rounds of dusting were given, synchronising with the emergence of flushes, flowering and fruit intiation stages and the intensity of damage was scored on a 0-4 scale based on observations on twenty randomly selected shoots and panicles. Dusting powder formulations of carbaryl, and phosalone were found equally effective and superior to mercaptothion in reducing shoot damage caused by H. antonii. Nons of the chemicals was effective in reducing damage to freshly emerged panicles and also the floral branches beyond fruit set initiation.