Evalution of (β-Cyfluthrin for the Control of Bollworm Complex on Cotton

β-Cyfluthrin-a synthetic pyrethroid was evaluated for the control of bollworm complex, spotted bollworms [Earias insidana (Boisduval) and Earias vittella (Fabricius)] and American bollworm [Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)] in different experiments with varied intensity of bollworm damage during 1997 and 1998 crop season. β-Cyfluthrin @ 12.50, 15.62 and 18.75 g a.i. ha⁻¹ was compared with deltamethrin, cypermethrin and alphamethrin. β-Cyfluthrin @ 18.75 g a.i. ha⁻¹ was more effective and gave significantly higher yield of cotton seed. However, at lower dosages of 15.62 g a.i. ha⁻¹ was more effective and gave higher yield than in cypermethrin, fenvalerate and alphamethrin. The order of efficacy of remaining synthetic pyrethroids was deltamethrin > alphamethrin > cypermethrin > fenvalerate. The new molecule was also effective against jassid and whitefly during the flowering phase and did not cause the resurgence of any sucking pests.