Diversity, morphological identification and management of mirid bug species complex in cotton crop Senguttuvan K.1,*, Murugan M.1, Shanthi M.2 1Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 2Centre for Plant Protection Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore *Corresponding author’s e-mail: senguttuvan.k@tnau.ac.in
Online published on 31 March, 2025. Abstract The emergence of mirid bugs as primary pests in Bt cotton fields poses significant challenges to cotton productivity in India. Mirid bug species such as Creontiades biseratense (Distant), Campylomma livida Reuter, and Hyalopeplus linefer Walker have gained prominence due to favourable conditions created by reduced pesticide applications in Bt cotton fields. This study focussed on morphological characterization of mirid bug species complex in Tamil Nadu cotton ecosystem. The study evaluated the efficacy of seven newer insecticides against the mirid bug, Creontiades biseratense, a significant pest of cotton, in two experiments conducted at TNAU Cotton Farm, Coimbatore district and Memathur, Virudhachalam, Cuddalore district, during Kharif 2022 and 2023. Treatments included Spinetoram 11.7 SC, Flonicamid 50 WG, Dinotefuran 20 SG, Thiamethoxam 25 WG, Clothianidin 50 WG, Imidacloprid 17.8 SL and Acetamiprid 20 SP. Spinetoram demonstrated the highest efficacy, reducing the pest population by 80.83% in Experiment I and 75.07% in Experiment II, followed by Flonicamid and Dinotefuran. Lower efficacy was observed with Imidacloprid and Acetamiprid, with reductions below 60%. Yield and economic analysis highlighted Spinetoram as the most cost-effective treatment, achieving the highest yields (2346 kg/ ha in 2022 and 2248 kg/ha in 2023) and cost-benefit ratios (CBR) of 2.74 and 2.51, respectively. Flonicamid and Dinotefuran also provided favourable returns, while traditional neonicotinoids like Imidacloprid exhibited declining performance, likely due to resistance development. Top Keywords Cotton - Mirid bugs, Species diversity, Creontiades biseratense, Morphology, Environmental correlation, IPM, Insecticides. Top |