Efficacy of different insecticides against tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii Signoret (Hemiptera: Miridae) on cashew in Kerala

Five treatments viz., λ-cyhalothrin in rotation with neem oil, imidachloprid, acetamaprid, λ-cyhalothrin and thiamethoxam, comprising of two round spray schedule were evaluated at Cashew Research Station, Madakkathara during 2013–14 season and compared with recommended practice as per package of practices, Kerala Agricultural University (λ-cyhalothrin-quinalphos-carbaryl). All the insecticides were effective in managing tea mosquito bug. However thiamethoxam, λ-cyhalothrin-neem oil and λ-cyhalothrin were most effective in reducing the damage by tea mosquito bug. The benefit cost ratio was maximum (5.34) for POP recommendation followed with λ-cyhalothrin (5.06) and thiamethoxam (4.55).