Relative Toxicity of Various Insecticides to Coccinellid Predators in Cotton*

Comparative toxicity of various systemic insecticides was assessed against predatory coccinellids associated with aphid in cotton at Junagadh during Kharif, 1999–2000. Endosulfan 0.07 per cent and Dimethoate 0.03 per cent were found to be significantly safer to the coccinellids followed by Methyl-0-demeton 0.025 per cent, Monocrotophos 0.04 per cent and Phosalon 0.07 per cent. Polytrin 0.04 per cent and Phosphamidon 0.03 per cent were proved comparatively more toxic to both the stages of coccinellid predators. The comparative toxicity to coccinellids in ascending order was endosulfan > dimethoate > methyl-o-demeton > monocrotophos > phosalon > quinalphos > profenophos > methyl parathion > imidacloprid > phosphamidon > polytrin.