American fall armyworm (FAW) has becomes a major insect pest on maize crop and causing tremendous yield losses. Farmers are more inclined towards the use of chemical insecticides in controlling FAW on maize crop. So. it is necessary to suggest them the insecticides which will not only control the FAW population efficiently but also maintain a natural balance of FAW and its natural enemies by considering above conditions a study was carried out on “Field evaluation of some newer insecticides on American fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) and its natural enemies on maize” at the research field of Department of Entomology, Dr. PDKV, Akola, during kharif 2019. The treatments included Chlorantraniliprole 18.5SC @ 4 ml/10 L, Spinetoram 11.7 SC @ 9 ml/10 L, Indoxacarb 14.5 SC @10 ml/10 L, Thiamethoxam12.6 ZC+Lambda-cyhalothrin 9.5 ZC @ 2.5 ml/10 L, Dimethoate 30 EC @ 12 ml/10 L, Spinosad 45 SC @ 3 ml/ 10 L, Emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 4 gm/10 L along with control (no spray). All tested insecticides were found significantly superior and effective against fall armyworm in compare to the control (no spray) and succesfully reduces 70-96.63% population of fall armyworm. Among insecticides spinosad 45 SC @ 3 ml/ 10 L was proved most effective with 96.63% mortality in fall armyworm and it was found to be at par with other insecticidal treatments. During the study natural enemies such as lady bird beetle, spiders and carabid larva are recorded attacking fall armyworm. The effect of the above mentioned insecticides was recorded on these natural enemies also. Tested insecticides showed 40.28-86.27% reduction in population of natural enemies. Spinosad 45 SC @ 3 ml/ 10 L, Emamectin benzoate 5 SG@ 4 gm/10 L and Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 4 ml/10 L are found to be comparatively safer to the natural enemies with mortality rate of 40.28-58.08%. On the other side, insecticides like Indoxacarb 14.5 SC @10 ml/10 L, Thiamethoxam 12.6 ZC+Lambda-cyhalothrin 9.5 ZC @ 2.5 ml/10 L, and Dimethoate 30 EC @ 12 ml/10 L showed more mortality in natural enemies in range of 70.83-86.27%. The present findings indicate that the newer insecticides are better option in managing the American fall armyworm on maize and can be included in Integrated Pest Management as one of the chemical components and can be used alternatively.

American fall armyworm, maize, Spinosad, Chlorantraniliprole, Emamectin benzoate, natural enemies

Amongs all seven insecticidal treatments, Spinosad 45 SC @ 3 ml/ 10 L was found as the most effective one with 96.63% reduction in pest population. Second best treatment was recorded as Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC followed by Emamectin benzoate 5% SG, Spinetoram 11.7 SC, Thiamethoxam 12.6 ZC+Lambdacyhalothrin 9.5 ZC, Indoxacarb 14.5 SC and Dimethoate 30 EC. Natural enemies such as Lady bird beetle, spider and carabid larvae are found in association with different stages of S. frugiperda on maize at Dr. PDKV, Akola. The effect of the above mentioned insecticides was recorded on these natural enemies also. Tested insecticides showed 40.28-86.27% reduction in population of natural enemies. Spinosad 45 SC @ 3 ml/ 10 L, Emamectin benzoate 5 SG@ 4 gm/10 L and Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 4 ml/10 L are found to be comparatively safer and less detrimental to natural enemies with mortality rate of 40.28-58.08%. On the other side, Indoxacarb 14.5 SC @10 ml/10 L, Thiamethoxam12.6 ZC+Lambda-cyhalothrin 9.5 ZC @ 2.5 ml/10 L, and Dimethoate 30 EC @ 12 ml/10 L showed relatively more mortality in range of 70.83-86.27% which proved them unsuitable for IPM program. Spraying of these insecticides should be avoided if natural enemies are present in abundance. From the present study it can be concluded that, newer insecticides are better option in managing the american fall armyworm on maize and can be included in IPM as one of chemical components and can be use alternatively.

Sandip N. Rathod, Gajanan K. Lande and Archana N. Borkar (2023). Field Evaluation of some Newer Insecticides on American Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) and its Natural Enemies on Maize. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(11): 143-148.