Department of Entomology and Apiculture, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, 173 230
Present address: *Project Co-ordinator, All India Co-ordinated Project on Honeybee Research and Training, Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar.
Ten insecticides, viz. chlorpyriphos. endosulfan, fenirothion, fenvalerate, isofenphos, methatnidophos, methyl-demeton, phenthoate, phoxim and phosalone were tested against apple blossom thrips at their normal recommended dosages. Their effect on pollen viability and fruit set was also observed. Fentirothion (0.05 per cent) followed by isofenphos (0.1 per cent), methamidophos (0.05 per cent) and fenvalerate (0.01 per cent) were found to be effective insecticides against thrips, without any long lasting effect on pollen viability Per cent fruit set on insecticides-treated trees varied from 9.8 to 14.6 as against 7.2 on untreated (water-sprayed) trees. Tn view of safety to pollinators, isofenphos can be the best choice for the control of apple blossom thrips.
