Efficacy of insecticides against fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) in sweet corn and its impact on Trichogramma parasitization

The study evaluated the efficacy of insecticides against fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in sweet corn (Zea mays (L). var. saccharata) and their effects on natural parasitization by Trichogramma sp., a group of parasitic wasps known for their biocontrol potential. The field experiment was conducted in rabi 2022-2023 in a randomized block design. Treatments included seed treatments along with foliar spray and foliar sprays alone. Among the treatments, seed treatment with cyantraniliprole 19.8% + thiamethoxam 19.8 % FS and spinetoram 11.7% SC spray were found highly effective and gave better results with lowest leaf injury rating and % infestation which also reflected on grain yield as well, it is on par with seed treatment with cyantraniliprole 600 FS and chlorantraniliprole 9.3% +lambda-cyhalothrin 4.6% ZC spray. The untreated control recorded the highest % parasitization and adult emergence. Among treatments, seed treatment with tetraniliprole ST 480 FS and cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD foliar spray are safer to Trichogramma.