Evaluation of some insecticides for the control of major insect pests of okra and their side effects

Abtract Two trials were carried out to evaluate some insecticides for the control of major pests of okra. In the first experiment six acaricides were tested for the control of red spider mite. Of the nine treatments comprising of cyhexatin, dicofol, ethion, tetradifon, monocrotophos and triazophos, it was found that cyhexatin @ 400 g a.i./ha was the most effective treatment. In the second trial, six insecticides comprising three pyrethroids and carbaryl, triazophos and cartap were evaluated for the control of okra leaf hopper and fruit borer. The pyrethroids were found effective against both pests, cartap against leafhopper and triazophos against fruit borer only. All treatments except cartap were observed to cause an outbreak of red spider mites. The population of the predatory mite, Amblyseius longispinosus associated with the red spider mite were monitored in both trials.