Efficacy of Newer Molecules of Insecticides against Legume Pod Borer, Maruca Vitrata (Geyer) in Pigeonpea

Highest percent reduction of Maruca vitrata (Geyer) larvae on pigeon pea cultivar TRG-22 was observed with thiodicarb (75%WP) followed by spinosad (45% SC), novaluron (10% EC) and chlorpyriphos (20% EC) + DDVP (76% EC). The efficacy of insecticides against pod borer in the descending order was: thiodicarb (1g l−1) > novaluron (1 ml l−1) > spinosad (0.3 ml l−1) > emamectin benzoate (0.1 g l−1) > endosulfan (2 ml l−1) > lambda cyhalothrin (1 ml l−1) > flubendiamide (0.1 ml l−1) > rynaxypyr (0.25 ml l−1) > NSKE (50g l−1) > Bacillus thuringiensis (1 g l−1). All the treatments were significantly superior over control in reducing the pest populations. Thiodicarb recorded not only the lowest pod damage but also resulted in the highest pod yield of pigeonpea.