Compatibility of insecticides with entomopathogenic Nomuraea rileyi against tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (F.)

Compatibility of widely used newer insecticides was studied with entomopathogenic fungus, Nomuraea rileyi (Farlow) Samson under laboratory conditions. Significant variation was observed in its growth and pathogenicity in the presence of pesticides. Its pathogenicity against tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (F.) was affected. Lufenuron 5EC was found to be highly detrimental to its growth (100%), followed by emamectin benzoate (77.76%), indoxacarb (75.58%), novaluron (75%), and spinosad (62.43%). In contrast, ë-cyhalothrin 5EC was found less toxic at recommended dose. Interestingly, combination of ë-cyhalothrin at half of the recommended dose and N. rileyi showed synergism in toxicity against S. litura.