Effectiveness of new generation insecticides against mealy bug Phenacoccus solenopsis tinsley in Bt cotton

The field experiments were conducted during 2017 and 2018 to determine the efficacy of new generation combi-product Movento energy 240 SC (spirotetramat 11% + imidacloprid 11%) @ 375, 500, 625 mL ha⁻¹, spirotetramat 150 OD @ 500 mL ha⁻¹, along with conventional insecticides namely imidacloprid 120 SC @ 375 mL ha⁻¹, dicofol 18.5EC @ 2700 mL ha⁻¹, monocrotophos 36SL @ 1500 mL ha⁻¹, buprofezin 25SC @ 2700 mL ha⁻¹ against cotton mealy bug, Phenacoccus solenopsis on Bt cotton in Punjab. The experiments were conducted in randomised block design with three replications. Movento energy @ 625 mL ha⁻¹ was found highly effective against mealy bug after 3, 7, 10 and 14 days (54.6, 79.7, 85.0 and 79.8% reduction, respectively) of its application. Seed cotton yield was also significantly higher in Movento energy @ 625 mL ha⁻¹ (25.23 q ha⁻¹) as compared to all other treatments. Movento energy found relatively safer to the predators and did not cause any phytotoxicity to the crop.