Management of mirid bug, Creontiades biseratense (Distant) in Bt cotton*

Among the different insecticides and bio-pesticides evaluated against the mirid bug in Bt cotton under field conditions, acephate 75WP @ 1.0 g/l was found to be the most effective chemical. The next best treatments included profenophos 50EC @ 2.0 ml/l, indoxacarb 14.5SC @ 0.5 ml/l, buprofezin 25SC @ 0.5 ml/l and fipronil 5SC @ 1.0 ml/l. Whereas, the biopesticides viz., Metarhizium anisopliae @ 1.0 g/l, Pochonia (Verticillium) lecanii @ 1.0 g/l and nimbecidine @ 3.0 ml/l were less effective in suppressing the mirid population. The highest seed cotton yield was obtained in acephate treated plots (12.11q/ha) followed by profenophos (14.17q/ha), indoxacarb (12.88q/ha) and buprofezin (12.49q/ha). However, the highest IBC ratio of 19.80:1.00 was recorded in acephate followed by M. anisopliae (16.95:1.00) and P. lecanii (15.33:1.00).