Control of sorghum shootfly, Atherigona soccata (Rondani) and stemborer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) with some recently developed granular insecticides

Field tests were carried out in India during 2 kharif (hot) seasons to determine the effectiveness of some granular insecticides against the sorghum pests Atherigona soccata Rond. and Chilo partellus (Swinh.), with the aim of reducing numbers and rates of insecticides applied. Compared with the recommended method of seed treatment with a 5% suspension of carbofuran, side dressings with granular preparations containing 5% disulfoton and 3% carbofuran applied 1 week after germination were not effective in controlling A. soccata. However, a granular preparation containing 3% carbofuran applied in seed furrows and subsequently in leaf whorls was effective against both A. soccata and C. partellus. Of the new insecticides tested against the pests, granular formulations of chlorfenvinphos and fensulfothion gave promising results against both insects