Soil efficacy of fipronil to early stage pests of sugarcane, and its effect on development on Chilo infuscatellus Snellen (Crambidae: Lepidoptera)

Abstract

Fipronil soil applications of 75 and 90 g a.i./ha at pre- and post-germination stages of sugarcane improved plant germination and cane yield without affecting juice quality. Fipronil was highly toxic against the stem boring moth C. infuscatellus, and termites (Odontotermes spp.). Pre- and post-germination application of fipronil 75 days after planting (DAP), resulted in 65 and 31% reductions in dead-hearts and termite incidence, respectively. Fipronil-treated cane shoots fed to C. infuscatellus larvae resulted in 64.6–73.6% and 39–54.1% mortality at 15 and 30 days post-insecticide treatment, respectively. Fipronil treatment resulted in reduced larval and pupal weight, as well as an increase in pupal duration time. Fipronil at 90 g a.i./ha applied at 0 or 45 DAP did not reduce C. infuscatellus between-season population carry-over in stubbles.