Comparative efficacy of synthetic pesticides with botanical extracts under field condition on cabbage white butterfly (Pieris brassicae Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Abstract

Cabbage white butterfly, Pieris brassicae (L., 1758) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), is one of the important insect pests of cabbage crop which causes remarkable quantitative or qualitative crop losses. The effect of different new chemical insecticides and one botanical oil, neem seed oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) on the population density of P. brassicae was studied at Hazara Agricultural research station, Abbottabad(Pakistan). The study showed that neem oil had a significant effect on population of P. brassic in comparison to control treatment.So, neem oil alone or in combination with insecticides can be used for control of P. brassicae in vegetable crops for a safer food supply.