mortality responses of spodoptera litura (fab.) (lepidoptera: noctuidae)

Pakistan Entomologist 

Journal homepage: www.pakentomol.com 

MORTALITY RESPONSES OF SPODOPTERA LITURA (FAB.) (LEPIDOPTERA: 

NOCTUIDAE) AGAINST SOME CONVENTIONAL AND NEW CHEMISTRY 

INSECTICIDES UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS 

* 

Rashad Rasool Khan, Sohail Ahmed and Shahid Nisar 

Department of Agri. Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. 

ARTICLE INFORMATION 

Received: September 10, 2011 

Received in revised form: November 29, 2011 

Accepted: December 8, 2011 

* 

Corresponding Author: 

Rashad Rasool Khan 

Email: rashad_khan1@yahoo.com 

ABSTRACT 

The new chemistry and conventional insecticides were evaluated for their efficacy against 

the armyworm, Spodoptera litura (Fab.) in the laboratory. All the evaluated insecticides 

proved toxic for S. litura under laboratory conditions, but chlorpyrifos, profenofos, 

emamectin benzoate, spinosad, indoxacarb, methoxyfenozide and lufenuron proved highly 

toxic as the exposure time was extended. After 3 days of the insecticide treatment, 100% 

mortality was observed in emamectin benzoate @ 100 and 110 ml/acre treatment, followed 

by chlorpyrifos @ 1100 ml/acre (96.56%), leufenuron @ 55 ml/acre (86.67%) and methomyl 

@ 440 ml/acre (83.34%). However, chlorpyrifos and emamectin benzoate, at all the three 

doses, leufenuron at the higher and recommended dose and thiodicarb, spinosad and 

methoxyfenozide, at higher doses, were ranked highly toxic-as these insecticides caused the 

highest mortality (>90%) in S. litura. 

Keywords: 

Mortality response, Spodoptera litura, conventional insecticides, new chemistry 

insecticides, laboratory conditions. 

INTRODUCTION strategy in case of the insects (Denholm and Rowland, 1992). 

This tactic has not yet been tested on the field collected 

Armyworm (Spodoptera spp., Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) have resistant populations of Spodoptera spp. 

attained the status of the primary insect pest of cotton in The present studies report the comparative efficacy of 

Pakistan (Ahmad et al., 2007a). Besides cotton, it also attacks profenofos (Curacron® 50EC), chlorpyrifos (Lorsban® 

on tobacco and crucifers (Hussain and Shah, 1998; Ghaffar et 40EC), methomyl (Lannate® 40SP), thiodicarb (Larvin® 

al., 2002; Saeed et al., 2010). Spodoptera exigua and S. litura 80DP), lufenuron (Match® 5EC), abamectin (Agrimec® 

are important species prevalent in cotton crop. 

1.8EC), emamectin benzoate (Proclaim® 1.9EC), spinosad 

The insecticides used for the control of armyworms includes (Tracer® 24SC), indoxacarb (Steward® 15EC) and 

conventional (OPs, permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, methoxyfenozide (Runner® 24SC) at 10% low and high 

cyhalothrin etc.) and new chemistry insecticides which have recommended field dose rate against Spodoptera litura. 

become in effective (Ahmad and Arif, 2009; Ahmad et al., 

2007b; Saleem et al., 2008; Shad et al., 2010). MATERIALS AND METHODS 

In order to mitigate insecticide resistance, several strategies 

have been suggested and tested in the field and these novel Insects 

strategies must be verified with economic and pest control 

data to convince farmers (Gressel et al., 1996). With such The full grown larvae of S. litura were collected from the 

tactics, resistance may be minimized or delayed by preserving cotton crop and were reared at 30±2°C and 65±5% R.H. with 

a sufficient population of susceptible individuals through the light: darkness ratio of 14:10 hrs on a semi-synthetic diet 

use of lower rates of given pesticides and avoid the selection (Ahmad et al., 2005). 

of recessively resistant heterozygotes. On the other hand, use 

of high dose is also recommended but as means of eliminating Insecticides 

or reducing frequency of heterozygote where resistance is 

dominant (NRC, 1986). A number of studies have been The recommended insecticides against Spodoptera litura on 

conducted in this regards with fungicides and rodenticides, a cotton crop in Pakistan were selected for the experimentation. 

few were related to managing the resistance by low/high dose The insecticides viz., profenofos (Curacron® 50EC), 

Cite this article as: Khan, R.R., S. Ahmed and S. Nisar, 2011. Mortality responses of Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) against some 

conventional and new chemistry insecticides under laboratory conditions. Pak. Entomol., 33(2): 147-150. 

147

Khan et al. / Pakistan Entomologist 2011, 33(2): 147-150 

chlorpyrifos (Lorsban® 40EC), methomyl (Lannate® 40SP), level of resistance was found in Spodoptera exigua against 

thiodicarb (Larvin® 80DP), lufenuron (Match® 5EC), chlorpyrifos. 

abamectin (Agrimec® 1.8EC), emamectin benzoate All the larvae treated with the recommended and higher dose 

(Proclaim® 1.9EC), spinosad (Tracer® 24SC), indoxacarb rates of methomyl were found dead after 7 days of its 

(Steward® 15EC) and methoxyfenozide (Runner® 24SC) application whereas 83.34 % mortality was observed after 7 

were obtained in the form of their commercial formulations days when the larvae were treated with its lower dose rate 

from the respective manufacturers. Three doses for each (360 g/acre). The higher dose rate (440 g/acre) of thiodicarb 

insecticide i.e., the recommended dose against S. litura and 

th 

caused 93.34 % mortality at the 7 day of treatment 

10% below and above the recommended dose rate, were application and the recommended and lower dose rates (400 

prepared in an Analar grade Acetone. A control treatment of and 360 g/acre) caused 80 and 73.32 % mortality, 

acetone/distilled water applications was also included, for respectively. 

each test, to assess the natural mortality rates of the test insect Among the new chemistry insecticides, lowest mortality 

species. (53.31%) was found in abamectin (180 ml/acre) even after 7 

days of its application; however, the mortality increased with 

Bioassay 

an increase in the dose rate. The higher dose rates of spinosad 

(44 ml/acre) caused 93.33% mortality after 7 days, but its 

Ten larvae of S. litura (3rd instar), of uniform age, were recommended dose (40 ml/acre) caused 86.66% mortality of 

exposed to three different concentrations of insecticides, the S. litura larvae. 

using a leaf-dip technique, as recommended by the After 7 days of application, the larval mortality reached up to 

Insecticides Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) of GIFAP 83.34% in the larvae treated with higher dose rate of 

(Anonymous, 1990). Unsprayed cotton leaves, were collected indoxacarb (110 ml/acre). Almost the same mortality 

from the field, washed and dipped into the insecticide (83.33%) was observed after 7 days of treatment with 

(Treatment) solutions, for ten seconds, with a gentle agitation methoxyfenozide (100 ml/acre) and when the dose was 

and dried on the tissue papers. The dried leaves were then increased to 110 ml/acre, the mortality was 93.23% after 7 

placed in the petri dishes having a moist filter paper, in order days of application. 

to avoid any desiccation. The treatments were observed, after Insecticides like, chlorpyrifos, emamectin benzoate at all 

3 and 7 days for their effects. The effects of test insecticides three dose rates, lufenuron-at higher and recommended dose 

were judged on the basis of insect mortality levels, after rates and thiodicarb, spinosad and methoxyfenozide-at higher 

certain time periods. The data were analyzed statistically at dose rates, were ranked highly toxic, as maximum mortality 

5% level of probability using Duncan's Multiple Range Test levels were observed in chlorpyrifos @ 900, 1000 and 1100 

and the insecticides were categorized on the basis of ml/acre, methomyl @ 400 and 440 g/acre, lufenuron @ 50 and 

percentage mortality, as; Harmless (90% mortality) (Khan, lufenuron @ 45 ml/acre, spinosad @ 44 ml/acre and 

2010, unpublished data). methoxyfenozide @ 110 ml/acre, after 7 days of the 

treatments. Same results were reported by Sparks et al. (1996) 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

for spinosad and emamectin benzoate as well as by 

Mascarenhas et al. (1996) for chlorpyrifos and spinosad. The 

The data regarding the percentage-mortality of the larvae of results of present study are also confirmatory to those of 

Spodoptera litura after 3 and 7 days of the insecticide Adamczyk et al., (1999) who reported that the novel 

treatments were found significantly different (Table 1). It is insecticides like chlorfenapyr, methoxyfenozide, spinosad 

obvious from the data that 100% mortality was observed after and tebufenozide were more effective to the pest. The results 

3 days of treatment application with emamectin benzoate at regarding the indoxacarb in our experiment, were also 

the dose rate of 100 and 110 ml/acre. While complete comparable to those of Hammes et al. (1998) who reported it 

mortality of the larvae was observed after 7 days of treatment very effective against S. litura and safe to many beneficial 

application when larvae were treated at the dose rate of 90 insects. The results can also be compared with those of Ahmad 

ml/acre of emmamectin benzoate. The mortality was also and Saleem (2004) who reported that amongst new chemistry 

found to be 100% after 7 days of application at all the dose insecticides, emamectin benzoate and lufenuron resulted in 

rates of lufenuron. The higher dose rate of chlorpyrifos (1100 maximum mortality of S. litura. Ahmad et al., (2005) also 

ml/acre) also proved highly toxic as 96.56 % mortality was reported that emamectin benzoate proved to be the best 

observed in the treated larvae after 3 days. The mortality of the insecticide followed by lufenuron, spinosad and indoxacarb, 

larvae reached 100% after 7 days in all the treatments of respectively in their time-oriented mortality at three 

chlorpyrifos. However, the lower dose rate of profenofos (450 concentration levels against S. litura; however, abamectin 

ml/acre) proved slightly toxic as the treatments caused 66.67 proved to be the least effective to control this pest. 

% mortality even after 7 days of its application. The results These results also support our findings. The overall results of 

documented by Ahmad and Arif (2009) are in partial this study suggest emamectin benzoate as the best insecticide 

agreement with our findings. They reported very low or no along with other new chemistry insecticides a long- lasting 

resistance in Earias vittella to emamectin benzoate and control tactic for the farming community against S. litua. 

profenofos. Ahmad and Arif (2010) reported that very low Lufenuron, indoxacarb, methoxy fenozide and spinosad also 



148


proved to be the effective insecticides after emamectin, respectively. 

Table. 1 

Percentage mortality (means±SE) of Spodoptera litura after 3 and 7 days of the insecticide applications. 

Treatments Insecticides Dose 

(g or ml /acre) 

T1 

T2 

T3 

T4 

T5 

T6 

T7 

T8 

T9 

T10 

T11 

T12 

T13 

T14 

T15 

T16 

T17 

T18 

T19 

T20 

T21 

T22 

T23 

T24 

T25 

T26 

T27 

T28 

T29 

T30 

Profenofos (Curacron 50EC) 



Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban 40EC) 



Methomyl (Lennate 40SP) 



Thiodicarb (Larvin 80DP) 



Lufenuron (Match 5EC) 



Abamectin (Agrimec 1.8EC) 



Emamectin benzoate (Proclaim 1.9EC) 



Spinosad (Tracer 24SC) 



Indoxacarb (Steward 15SC) 



Methoxyfenozide (Runner 24SC) 



Mortality (%) 

(means±SE) 

3 DAA 

Mortality (%) 

(means±SE) 

7 DAA 

450 36.67±3.33l 

66.67±3.33efg 

500 46.68±3.34jkl 

76.67±3.35cdef 

550 53.34±3.32hijkl 86.66±3.31abc 

900 73.33±3.35cdefg 100.00±0.00a 

100 83.23±2.34ab 

100.00±0.00a 

1100 96.56±2.33ab 

100.00±0.00a 

360 63.32±4.13efghij 83.34±3.33bcd 

400 76.67±3.32cdefg 100.00±0.00a 

440 83.34±3.33abcd 100.00±0.00a 

360 66.67±6.27defghi 73.32±3.34cdef 

400 73.31±3.33cdefg 80.00±0.00bcde 

440 80.21±1.20bcde 93.34±3.35ab 

45 66.67±3.33defghi 93.33±3.23ab 

50 76.62±3.31cdef 100.00±0.00a 

55 86.67±3.35abc 100.00±0.00a 

180 36.65±3.23l 

53.31±3.35g 

200 43.33±2.36kl 

63.34±3.36fg 

220 50.00±1.20ijkl 73.41±4.12cdef 

90 83.31±3.34abcd 100.00±0.00a 

100 100.00±0.00a 

100.00±0.00a 

110 100.00±0.00a 

100.00±0.00a 

36 66.67±3.33defghi 76.67±3.33cdef 

40 70.00±0.00cdefgh 86.66±3.32abc 

44 76.57±2.89cdef 93.33±3.33ab 

90 53.36±3.31hijkl 70.00±0.00def 

100 60.00±1.02fghijk 76.68±3.36cdef 

110 66.67±3.29defghi 83.34±3.34bcd 

90 56.67±3.31cdefgh 76.59±4.33cdef 

100 70.00±0.00cdefgh 83.33±3.33bcd 

110 76.67±2.91cdef 93.23±3.29ab 

T31 

Control 

0.00±0.00m 

Column wise means sharing similar letters do not differ significantly, at 0.05 probability level. 

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