Insecticidal effect of deltamethrin, dinotefuran and spiromesifen against the sugarcane whitefly Neomaskellia andropogonis on CP69-1062 sugarcane cultivar

Summary The sugarcane whitefly, Neomaskellia andropogonis Corbett (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), is one of the important pests of sugarcane in Iran. The use of selective chemical insecticides helps to suppress whitefly infestations. Although several insecticides from various groups have been registered to control whiteflies, this is the first study to test the efficacy of deltamethrin, dinotefuran and spiromesifen insecticides against eggs, second instar nymphs and pupae of the sugarcane whitefly on CP69-1062 sugarcane cultivar. Five concentrations of the tested insecticides were applied in a leaf dipping bioassay under laboratory conditions. Probit analysis indicated that deltamethrin and dinotefuran with LC50 values of 50.1 and 49.5 ppm were the most toxic insecticides against eggs of N. andropogonis. Deltamethrin controlled nymphal and pupal stages more effective than the other two tested insecticides and the LC50 values were 49.7 and 5.44 ppm on nymphs and pupae, respectively. The LC50 values of dinotefuran on second instar nymphs and pupae were 564.7 and 78.7 ppm and the values were 270.9 and 18.3 ppm for spiromesifen, respectively. The results support the use of the insecticides in rotation according to their different mode of action in integrated pest management programs of the sugarcane whitefly N. andropogonis.