Evaluation of insecticide, flubendiamide 20 %WG (Takumi) against maize fall army worm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), its effect on the natural enemies and phytotoxicity to the crop

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), is a polyphagous pest invaded India and seriously threatened maize and other crops. In the context of its economic importance and destructive nature, management of fall armyworm is essential. The present field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Gangavathi during Kharif 2019 and Kharif 2020 on bio-efficacy of flubendiamide 20% WG against fall armyworm in Maize. From the pooled data, the result shows that flubendiamide 20% WG @ g a.i/ha was found effective as it recorded lower mean larval population of 0.24 and 0.18 per plant during first and second spray respectively, least leaf damage of 7.70 per cent and incurred higher grain yield of 53.39 q/ ha. Followed by spinoterum11.7% SC @ 30g a.i/ha over the other treatments. These insecticides could help in effective management of the fall armyworm and also least impact on natural enemies and no phytotoxicity symptoms on the crop.