Effect of Spinosad (a bioinsecticide) and other insecticides against pest complex and natural enemies on eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Spinosad 45 SC alongwith six chemical insecticides viz., emamectin benzoate 5 WSG, cypermethrin 10 EC quinalphos 25 EC, endosulfan 35 EC, lambda cyhalothrin 5 EC, chlorpyrifos 20 EC was evaluated against shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis), leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula), whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), lace bug (Urentius hystericellus), mealy bug (Phenacoccus solenopsis) and hadda beetles (Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata and Epilachna dodecastigma) and also against natural enemies (Encarsia, lutea Chrysoperla carnea and ladybird beetles) on eggplant (Cv., BR-112 and plant growth parameters). Spinosad @ 162.5 ml/h was most effective against shoot and fruit borer, affording the minimum damage on shoots, flower buds and fruits and getting the maximum fruit yield and highest cost-benefit ratio. This insecticide was not found effective against sucking pests and hadda beetles but was safe to natural enemies whereas the chemical insecticides proved toxic to them.