Non-traditional approaches against spiny bollworm Earias insulana (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)‎ infesting cotton in Egypt

Abstract EN

The spiny bollworm Earias insulana (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major insect pest of cotton in Egypt.

The present field study was carried out to evaluate the influence of nine treatments against E.

insulana during two successive seasons 2018 and 2019.

Agricultural practices including the 1st and 2nd treatments; plowing, irrigation and fertilization that showed a low percent of infestation reduction, while 3rd treatment including the bio-rational insecticides of (Azdirachtin, emamectin benzoate, spinosad) showed a reasonable infestation reduction, moreover, the 4th treatment was the release of the predator Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) alone achieved good results compared to the previous treatments, while, the 5th treatment was Bacillus thuringiensis and the 6th treatment was Beauveria bassiana, the 5th and 6th treatments were the least in infestation reduction when applied alone.

However, the 7th, 8th and 9th treatments represent the three different combined treatments resulted in very good infestation reduction and were more effective during the two successive seasons of study 2018 and 2019.

Combined treatments increased the infestation reduction and were of great value and should be applied to the promising ones only.

This research paper may greatly improve the current knowledge and practices for sustainable development, ecology and environmental protections.