Field Evaluation of Granular Soil Insecticides for Control of the Sugarcane Bettle, Eutheola Rugiceps (Leconte) in Field Corn, 1983

Abstract

Abstract Five granular soil insecticides labeled for control of corn rootworm were tested in the field for effectiveness against the sugarcane beetle. ‘Pioneer Brand 3030’ field corn was used in the test. The corn was planted 13 May at the LSU St Gabriel Exp. Stn., Iberville Parish. Insecticides were applied using a two-row John Deere Model 71 Flexi-Planter, modified to carry pint jars of insecticide. The jars were inverted above funnels connected by flexible delivery tubes to either a 7 in. band or in-furrow applicator to obtain the desired placement of insecticide. The diameter of a single central hole in the lid of each jar determined the rate of insecticide flow. Banded insecticides, other than Mocap, were applied ahead of the press wheel and were further incorporated by a drag chain attached to the rear of the planter. All Mocap treatments were applied behind the press wheel and incorporated by the drag chain. Corn seeds were planted in a conventional manner at the same time as insecticide application. A completely randomized block design was used with three replications. Each treatment consisted of a 6 ft by 6 ft by 6 ft Saran screen cage placed over two treated rows of corn. The cages were installed and 100 sugarcane beetles placed in each on 27 May. The effectiveness of the insecticides was evaluated on 31 May by removing the cage and counting the number of dead plants and dead beetles in the caged treated area. Beetles were recovered by sifting all the soil in the caged area to a depth of 10 in. through 0.25 in. hardware cloth screen sieves. The soil in the experimental area was a silt-sand, recent alluvial soil with good drainage. Six inches of precipitaiton fell on the test area between planting and infestation. Temperature maximums and minimums at ground level within the cages during the infestation period were 96 and 60°F, respectively.