Biosafety Evaluation of Spirotetramat 150 OD A New Insecticide Molecule Against Natural Enemies of Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)

Studies were conducted toevaluate spirotetramat 150 OD as foliar application for its toxicity against spiders and coccinellids of okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) in Coimbatore district during 2013 to 2014. The result revealed that spirotetramat 150 OD (60 and 75 g a.i ha⁻¹) recorded significantly less toxicity on natural enemies especially to spiders and coccinellids which was on par with higher dose of spirotetramat 150 ODat 90 g a.i ha⁻¹. A reduction inthe population of spiders and coccinellids was observed immediately after the spraying of insecticdes and initial population again rebound 7 days after treatment. All the treatments of spirotetramat 150 OD were found to be moderately safe to natural enemies when compared to thiamethoxam and dicofol.