Efficiency of some insecticides against Lesser Date Moth, Batrachedra amydraula

Abstract

Lesser Date Moth (LDM), Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick, is known in the Sultanate of Oman and elsewhere as Hummeira. It is one of the important pests that attacks date fruits and causes several damages to dates, thus reducing the crop yield where more than 70% loss of fruits may cause through their infestation. Chemical control is one of the methods used to control the pest. In this study, six insecticides were evaluated for their efficiency on the reduction in number of infested dates by LDM larvae on infested date palm plantations. The results revealed that the best results were obtained by using Coragen 20% SC (chlorantraniliprole) 0.15ml/L, that gave reduction in number of infested dates by 91.3%, 97.8%, 100.0%, 96.4%, after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, respectively, followed by Radiant SC (spinetoram) 0.6ml/L, with reduction in number of infested dates by 77.7%, 94.4%, 92.9% and 88.3% and 72.8%, 85.6%, 83.3% and 80.6% after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, respectively. Decis 25 EC (deltamethrin) 1ml/L gave reduction in number of infested dates by 72.8%, 85.6%, 83.3% and 80.6% after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, respectively. Milbeknock 1% EC (milbemectin) 0.75ml/L and Flavonin 0.2ml/L gave relatively similar results. Milbeknock, gave reduction in number of infested dates by 63.1%, 43.3%, 66.7% and 57.7% after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, respectively whereas, Flavonin, gave reduction in number of infested dates by 60.6%, 62.2%, 45.2% and 56.0% after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, respectively. The least effective insecticide was Farmalan 15 SC (teflubenzuron 15% w/v + adjuvents 85% w/v) 0.5ml/L. Reduction in number of infested dates of this product was 34.8%, 26.7%, 57.1% and 39.6% after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, respectively. It was concluded from the study that the organic-pesticide Coragen 0.15ml/L gave the best results in comparison with the other insecticides.