Comparative evaluation of chemical and botanical insecticides against termites.
Singh S. K., Singh G.
Author Affiliation: Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kalyanpur, Kanpur, Uttarpradesh 208 024, India.
Entomon 27 : 153-160
Abstract : The efficacy of imidacloprid 17.8 SL, chlorpyrifos 20 EC, lindane 20 EC, endosulfan 35 EC, cypermethrin 10 EC and phorate 10G, as well as neem manure and neem-based formulations (Neemgourd, Nimbicidine, Multineem, Vanguard, Nemactin, Rakshak) were tested against termites (Odontotermes obesus) infesting mango plants in pots and in the field (Uttar Pradesh, India). Imidacloprid at 0.012% was effective up to 3 months, but at 0.008 and 0.004% were effective up to 2 months only. Chlorpyrifos at 0.04% was effective up to 2 months but at 0.02 and 0.03% were effective up to one month only. Lindane at 0.03 and 0.04%, and endosulfan at 0.08% were effective up to one month. All the above insecticides gave above 50% corrected mortality. Lindane at 0.02%, endosulfan at 0.07%, neem manure at 50 g per pot, phorate at 0.1 g a.i. per pot and cypermethrin at 0.0025% were least effective. Among the botanical insecticides, Nimbicidine and Nemactin were effective up to two months whereas Rakshak, Multineem, Neemgourd and Vanguard were effective for only a short time up to one month. The field trial showed that imidacloprid at 0.012%, chlorpyrifos at 0.04% and lindane at 0.04% were the most effective and gave 100% reduction in termite population up to five months. Imidacloprid at 0.004%, chlorpyrifos at 0.02%, lindane at 0.02% and 1.3% dust at 100 g per tree, and neem manure at 500 g per tree were less effective.