Compatibility of <i>Cordyceps javanica</i> (OM321438) strain with botanicals and insecticides against tea mosquito bug, <i>Helopeltis theivora</i> Waterhouse

In present study, the compatibility of a native entomopathogenic fungus (EPF), Cordyceps javanica strain (OM321438) with three different botanicals viz., neem oil, pongamia oil and jatropha oil and insecticides viz., clothianidin 50WDG, thiamethoxam 25WG and profenofos 50EC at three different concentrations viz. recommended dose, half of the recommended dose and more than the recommended dose and efficacy of the best compatible combinations were evaluated under laboratory conditions against tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora which is one of the major mirid pests of tea. Among the tested botanicals and insecticides, neem and pongamia oil at half of the recommended dose, clothianidin 50WDG at all doses and thiamethoxam 25WG at half of the recommended (0.01%) and recommended dose (0.02%) were found to be compatible with C. javanica (1x107 conidia/ml). The highest mortality (100%) of H. theivora was recorded on combined treatment of C. javanica with thiamethoxam 25WG at half of the recommended dose after 72 HAT whereas 70% mortality was observed in the combination of C. javanica with neem oil at half the recommended dose after 120 HAT. Moreover, C. javanica alone caused 85% mortality after 120 HAT.