Efficiency of Novel Chemical and Bio-Insecticides for Sustainable Management of Diamondback Moth Plutella xylostella (L.), in Cauliflower
1P.G. & Research Department of Zoology, J.K.K. Nataraja College of Arts & Science, Komarapalayam, Namakkal (Dt), Affiliated to Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu-638183, India
2Department of Zoology, Maharani’s Science College for Women, Mysore, Karnataka -570005, India
*Corresponding author
Abstract:
The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is considered as the most damaging pest of brassica crops in the country and worldwide, necessitating continuous evaluation of pest management strategies to mitigate resistance and environmental impact. Field experiment was conducted during February to April 2026 in Kolar Taluk, Kolar District, Karnataka, India, to evaluate the field efficacy of novel chemical insecticides and bio-insecticides against diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), infesting local popular cauliflower variety Dhawal. The trial was executed in a randomized block design (RBD) comprising ten treatments, including an untreated control, replicated twice. Two rounds of spraying were carried out at the recommended doses using a knapsack sprayer, and larval populations and percent leaf damage were recorded at 3, 5, 7 and 10 days after spray (DAS). Among the treatments evaluated, broflanilide 20% SC (0.25 ml/l) recorded the lowest pooled larval population (0.60 larvae/plant) and the lowest pooled leaf damage (8.7%), representing a reduction of about 80% in larval count and 73% leaf damage over the untreated control, and was significantly superior to all the other treatments. Fluxametamide 10% EC (1 ml/l) was the second best treatment (0.80 larvae/plant; 12.4% leaf damage), followed by emamectin benzoate 5 SG and chlorfenapyr 10% SC. The biopesticides Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, Beauveria bassiana and azadirachtin, significantly better than the untreated control. But comparatively less effective than the novel chemical molecules. Analysis of variance revealed non-significant differences among treatments before spraying and up to 5 DAS of the first spray. Significant differences emerging from 7 DAS onward and becoming highly significant after the second spray, indicating a cumulative and time-dependent insecticidal action. The results suggest that broflanilide and fluxametamide, novel insecticides with a distinct mode of action (GABA-gated chloride channel modulation), can be effectively integrated with biopesticides in a rotational schedule for sustainable and resistance-conscious management of DBM in cauliflower.
Keywords:
Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, cauliflower, Broflanilide, Fluxametamide, biopesticides, sustainable pest management.
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How to cite this article:
Manjunatha M. N. and Madhiayazagan P. 2026. Efficiency of Novel Chemical and Bio-Insecticides for Sustainable Management of Diamondback Moth
Plutella xylostella (L.)
, in Cauliflower.
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci.
15(10): 147-154
doi:
https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2026.1510.015
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