Effects of Selected Insecticides on Matsumuratettix hiroglyphicus (Matsumura), a Vector of Sugarcane White Leaf Disease, and on Two Natural Enemies of the Sugarcane Stem Borer in Sugarcane Fields

Abstract

Sugarcane white leaf disease, caused by phytoplasma, is the most severe disease that affects sugar production in Thailand. The major vector of this disease is the leafhopper, Matsumuratettix hiroglyphicus (Matsumura). Although several approaches have been employed for management of this vector, they have not been fully successful in eliminating the disease. In the present study, the efficacy of different insecticides in controlling M. hiroglyphicus was evaluated along with their impact on the natural enemies of sugarcane stem borer, which are commonly released in sugarcane fields in Thailand. The study was performed in fields growing tissue culture-raised sugarcane plantlets. Among the different insecticides tested in greenhouse as well as in field, dinotefuran resulted in high mortality of M. hiroglyphicus and had a long residual effect. The impact of dinotefuran on a natural larval parasitoid, Cotesia flavipes (Cameron), and on an egg parasitoid, Trichogramma confusum Viggiani, was observed to be relatively less, and it disappeared rapidly. Hence, our results suggest that dinotefuran is an effective pesticide for the management of M. hiroglyphicus, a key vector of sugarcane white leaf disease.