Novel Molecules Targeted Control of Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer, Leucinodes orbonalis in Subtropical Conditions of Punjab (India)

Brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is one of the most dreaded pests of brinal crop worldwide and the annual crop losses are estimated to the extent of around Rs. 2,000 crores. The trials were conducted to manage this pest at Entomological Research Farm, PAU, Ludhiana and at farmers fields of districts Ludhiana and Gurdaspur, Punjab during 2014–17. Different doses of chlorantraniliprole (18.5 SL) and emamectin benzoate (5 SG) were evaluated against brinjal shoot and fruit borer and compared with the existing recommended insecticide, triazophos (40 EC). The tested molecules were found highly effective against brinjal shoot and fruit borer and reduction in fruit infestation ranged from 53.2–84.1% after 10 days of 2^nd spray. Similarly, the significant higher yields (313.1–325.5 q ha⁻¹) were recorded in treated plot as compared to untreated control (307.3 q ha⁻¹).