EVALUATION OF INSECTICIDE APPLICATION FREQUENCY TO CONTROL SESAME LEAF WEBBER ANTIGASTRA CATALAUNALIS (DUPONCHEL) AND MIRID BUG CREONTIADUS DILUTES

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), a member of the Pedaliaceae family, is referred to as the queen of oilseeds. There are numerous barriers to its production and productivity, including a lack of economically feasible and technically adequate manufacturing technology, but insect pests particularly, sesame leaf webber (Antigastra catalaunalis) and Mirid Bug (Creontiadus dilutes) play a prime role in declining its  potential yield. In this study, five treatments, viz. T₁:2-WAE (weeks after emergence), T₂:2,4-WAE, T₃: 2,4,6 WAE, T₄:  2,4,6,8 WEA, T₅: weekly spray after emergence (positive control) and T₆: control (zero application of spray) spray were applied, while  T5=weekly spray  started one week after emergence, prior to the onset of A. catalaunalis infestation on  the sesame crop and was continuously applied until the maturity of the crop. A Hand knap sack sprayer was used for the Polytrin C 440EC (Profenophos 400 G/L + Cypermethrin G/L) @500ml/acre application. The results revealed that the incidence of A. catalaunalis and C. dilutes throughout the season during both years (2022-23) was significantly different (p < 0.001) among all treatments. High insecticide application frequency lowers the leaf, flower and capsule damage, which ultimately decreases seed loss and enhances the end product, so it was observed that T₅: weekly spray after emergence (positive control) gave maximum control, followed by four-time spray application (T₄:  2, 4, 6, 8WEA) while maximum infestation was observed in T₆: control (zero application of spray), followed by T₁:2-WAE. Positive control gave the best results. It is suggested that three-time spray application was found to be most suitable for the management of both devastating insects. Based on evaluation, it appears that adjusting the frequency of insecticide application can effectively control sesame leaf Webber and mirid bug populations. However, it’s important to balancer pest control with environmental concerns and resistance development.