COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF BIO PESTICIDES AND INSECTICIDES AGAINST TOMATO THRIPS (THRIPS TABACI LIND.) AND THEIR IMPACT ON COCCINELLID PREDATORS

Abstract

Field studies were carried out to evaluate efficacy of biopesticides viz., Beauveria bassiana (2.5 kg ha-1) and Verticilliumlecani (2.5 kg ha-1) and novel insecticides viz., Imidacloprid 30.5 SC (100mL ha-1) and Thiomithoxam 25 WG (75g.a.i. ha-1) against the thrips, Thrips tabaci Lind. and predatory coccinellids in tomato ecosystem. Significantly lowest thrips population was recorded in insecticidal treatments Imidacloprid 30.5 SC + Thiomithoxam 25 WG (1.15 nymphs plant-1) followed by Thiomithoxam 25 WG (1.35 nymphs plant-1) and Imidacloprid 30.5 SC (1.37 nymphs plant-1) compared to bio pesticides Beauveria bassiana + Verticillium lecani (2.01 nymphs plant-1) followed by Beauveria bassiana, Verticillium lecani (2.12 and 2.33 nymphs plant-1 respectively) compared to control treatment recorded 6.27 nymphs plant-1. Against coccinellids bio pesticide treatments Beauveria bassiana, Verticillium lecani (3.26 and 3.12 coccinellids plant-5 respectively) were found safer following insecticides Imidacloprid 30.5 SC and Thiomithoxam 25 WG (2.64, 2.79 coccinellids plant-5 respectively) showed lower toxic compared to control treatment (3.53 coccinellids plant-5) in tomato ecosystem. The use of bio pesticides and neonicotinoids can be used in compatible manner in future IPM programmes for controlling thrips and reducing effect on natural enemies.