Efficacy of certain insecticides and seasonal incidence of shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella Fab. on Okra

Among insecticides, cypermethrin 25 EC @ 0.05%, chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 0.05% and spinosad 45 SC@ 0.005% were found to be most effective, the shoot damage percentage was 5.3, 6.2 and 6.8%, respectively. Minimum % of fruit damage was observed with cypermethrin 25 EC @ 0.05%, chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 0.05% and spinosad 45 SC@ 0.005% was 8.2, 11.5 and 12.7%, respectively. Occurrence of shoot and fruit borer commenced from 33rd standard week (August third week) with an average population of infestation 2.4% and gradually reached its peak level of infestation 45.7% at 41st standard week (October second week) thereafter declined trend was observed as temperature decreased. The highest yield was registered with cypermethrin 25 EC @ 0.05% about 88.42 q/ha which was followed by chlorpyriphos (0.05%) 85.02 q/ha and spinosad 78.52 q/ha, respectively.