Bio efficacy of selected insecticides against pod fly, Melanagromyza obtusa (Malloch) in pigeonpea

In the present study, efficacy of selected insecticides was evaluated against pod fly, Melanagromyza obtuse (Malloch) over three consecutive years in pigeonpea cultivar, Rudreswara (WRG-65). The relative efficacy of nine insecticides was assessed in terms of pod fly population and pod damage. The insecticides were applied twice at 15 days interval, starting from pod formation stage. The results revealed that thiamethoxam 25WG at 0.4g/l + Jaggery @ 5g/l followed by flubendiamide 480 SC @ 0.3ml/l proved significantly superior by reducing pod fly population and pod damage by recording highest grain yield (1582 kg ha-1) and best Cost: Benefit ratio (1:2.39). The potential insecticides observed in this study may be used in rotation with other effective ones in order to avoid development of insecticide resistance in pod fly.