Field efficacy of newer insecticides against Spodoptera Litura (Fabricius) in Groundnut

Field experiment was conducted during kharif 2010 and 2011 at the main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to evaluate the efficacy of newer insecticides against Spodoptera litura in groundnut. Observations on the foliage damage revealed that spraying thiodicarb 75 WP and emamectin benzoate 5 SG were superior. These were followed by flubendiamide 480 SC (26.35%), rynaxypyr 20 SC (26.51%) and fipronil 5 SC (26.88%). Simultaneous observations on the predatory coccinellids and spiders indicated that fipronil 5SC supported comparatively higher populations of predatory coccinellids and spiders after 7 and 15 days of spray. Highest cost benefit ratio of 1: 4.59 and 1: 4.57 was observed in thiodicarb 75 WP and emamectin benzoate 5SG, respectively.