Evaluation of Imidacloprid and Some Biopesticides Against Mango Hoppers, Idioscopus Clypealis (Lethierry) and Amritodus Atkinsoni (Lethierry)

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate imidacloprid, Verticillium lecanii and a neem product (Econeem ®) against mango hoppers during 2007 and 2008 in low hills of Himachal Pradesh. Two sprays were given, first before opening of flowers and second 21 days after first. The insecticides were also evaluated at high pest density during May, 2008. Imidacloprid was found highly effective against mango hoppers maintaining hopper count (<1/panicle) even at a lower test dose (0.0036%). This also resulted in higher fruit set in ‘Dashehari’ mango and was found superior to V. lecanii and Econeem®. V. lecanii (Ecocill,1×10⁸ CFU/g) alone and in combination with endosulfan resulted in moderate control, it was inferior to imidacloprid but resulted in better hopper control than Econeem.