Bio-efficacy of neonicotinoid insecticides against Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton in Drip-irrigated Kinnow plants

The bio-efficacy of soil applied neonicotinoid insecticides evaluated against citrus leaf miner, Phyllocnistis citrella on one year old drip-irrigated Kinnow plants indicated that there was no leaf miner population up to 57 days after application (DAA) in thiamethoxam (4.0 g/plant) and imidacloprid (4.0 ml/plant), however, there were 4.97 larvae/10 leaves in acetamiprid (4.0 g/plant). Even 75 DAA, leaf miner population of 1.33 and 2.33 larvae/10 leaves observed in thiamethoxam (4.0 g/plant) and imidacloprid (4.0 ml/plant), respectively were significantly less compared to all other treatments. Per cent leaf infestation in these treatments was also significantly less compared to other treatments. Study indicated that thiamethoxam @ 4.0 g/plant and imidacloprid @ 4.0 ml/plant were persistent for 75 and 73 days, respectively whereas acetamiprid at same dose was persistent only for 48 days. Foliar application of imidacloprid (0.008%) exhibited the lowest persistence of 21 days against citrus leaf miner. Soil applied imidacloprid and thiamethoxam had more persistence compared to acetamiprid as well as foliar application of imidacloprid (0.008%).