Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
Toxicity of some insecticides with novel mode of action against Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilarctia obliqua (Walker)
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Bhatt Rajat Mohan, Tanveer Saba, Moirangthem Khaba, Purwar Jay Prakash, Tiwari Ruchira
Research Articles | Published: 13 November, 2025
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Keywords: Bihar hairy caterpillar, Insecticide toxicity, Lethal concentration, Lethal time, Relative toxicity
Abstract
The toxicity of four commercial insecticides was evaluated against the Bihar hairy caterpillar (BHC), Spilarctia obliqua (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), under laboratory conditions. The experiment was conducted using the leaf dip method, where larvae were exposed to the insecticides, and toxicity was assessed at various time intervals. The results indicated that all examined insecticides were significantly more effective than the untreated control. Based on the median lethal concentration (LC50) at 48 h after exposure (HAE), the order of toxicity was established as follows: chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC (LC50 = 6.31 ppm) > isocycloseram 9.2% DC (18.31 ppm) > spinosad 45% SC (101.62 ppm) > fluxametamide 10% EC (219.57 ppm). Among the tested insecticides, chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC exhibited the highest toxicity, whereas fluxametamide 10% EC was the least toxic. The median lethal time (LT50) was also determined for each insecticide, with chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC demonstrating the most rapid toxic action. The LT50 values for chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC at different concentrations of 10, 30, 60, 120, and 240 ppm were recorded as 36.70, 26.31, 22.03, 15.19, and 10.33 h, respectively. Using fluxametamide 10% EC as a reference (being the least toxic), the relative toxicity of spinosad 45% SC, isocycloseram 9.2% DC, and chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC was found to be 2.2, 12.0, and 34.8 times higher, respectively. These findings highlight the superior toxicity of chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC against S. obliqua.
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Author Information
Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India