Efficacy of Grain Protectants Against Larval Stages of three Species of Moth Pests

Testing of DDT, lindane and malathion against the 8–10 days old larvae of Cadra cautella Walker and Corcyra cephalonica Stainton and larvae of Sitotroga cerealella Olivier 24 hours after hatching, was dons as seed treatment on wheat (14 per cent moisture content) and sorghum (12 per cent moisture content). LC50 values (ppm) were worked out by releasing the larvae for 24 hours on seed treated with different doses. Malathion proved least effective against C. cautella followed by C. cephalonica. Yet against S. cerealella, malathion was highly effective. Lindane was effective against S. cerealella and C. cephalonica, DDT and lindane both were not effective against C. cautella and C. cephalonica. The cluses and abundance of C. cautella in food storage godowns have been discussed.