Black Cutworm Control on Tobacco, 1979

Abstract

Abstract An on-farm test was conducted in Beaufort County, North Carolina, to assess the effectiveness of insecticides against an infestation of the black cutworm. When the site was located, cutworm damage was already extensive. Larvae were cutting off individual leaves or the top portion of the rather woody plants. Treatments were replicated 3 times in a randomized complete block design. Plots were 0.029 acres (89 ft × 4 rows) separated by vacant fifth rows and eleven-foot alleys. Treatments were applied between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Sprayable treatments were applied using a backpack sprayer equipped with three Teejet TG 3 nozzles. Seventy gallons per acre of mixture were applied at 60 psi. Baits were applied by hand in a band approximately 12 inches wide over the top of the row. Prior to treatment, stand counts were made and all severed plant parts removed. One night (14 hours) after treatment, a second stand count was made, the number of newly injured plants recorded (determined by the presence of severed leaves or plants) and all severed plant parts again removed. Four days after treatment, the number of plants newly injured during the period 14-84 hours after treatment was determined. Numbers of damaged plants for each post-treatment period were converted to a percentage of the stand count at the beginning of the period and subjected to an arcsine transformation. Each treatment was compared to the check and all other treatments using a two-way analysis of variance.