Efficacy of botanical insecticides in management of Okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella (Fab.)

The treatment with combined cypermethrin 25 EC (0.0625%) + neem oil (1%) was found most effective, the fruit damage was 4.3%, with highest cost benefit ratio 1:3.31, and yield 98.07 q/ha. The treatment with chemical insecticide of chlorpyriphos was effective, the fruit damage was 5.7%. The treatments with botanical insecticides viz. neem oil 1%, datura leaf extract 10%, garlic bulb extract 3% and green chilli extract 1% were also effective, resulting 6.6%, 8.6%, 9.0% and 10.5% fruit damage, compared with control plot 22.0%. Amongthe botanical insecticides, neem oil 1% gave highest CBR 1:2.59 and yield 80.43 q/ha, so neem oil 1% was found best botanical treatment against Earias vittella as it is eco-friendly, no residual effect and not caused hazardous effect to environment, also it could be an important tool in IPM programme.